How are panelists selected?
We try to have the panels represent the range of work and diversity of artists in the applicant pool. For example in visual arts, a typical panel might have someone from the fine arts disciplines (painting, sculpture, printmaking, etc.), someone with knowledge of craft, and a representative conversant with the more experimental forms of artmaking. We strive to balance our panels in other ways as well, especially with regard to racial, gender, and geographic diversity. The staff consults with colleagues from other state agencies and asks for recommendations from the field to develop a roster of potential panelists. Panelists change every cycle to ensure that fresh points of view are incorporated into the process.
