The short bio should be tailored information that would be included in a press kit (e.g., where you are from/are currently based, your professional accomplishments, artistic/personal influences in your work, major collaborations/projects/clients, your domestic and/or international community/education work, and current projects).
The résumé should be no longer than two pages. Please do not submit press kits.
Your responses to the Short Answer questions should explain your suitability for the position and relevant experience. They should demonstrate your passion for your discipline and describe how your past experiences have prepared you for this program, highlighting any examples that demonstrate your ability to show cultural sensitivity and engage others with different values or viewpoints. When writing your responses, consider sharing examples that illuminate how you embody authentic representation of your artform as well as how you contribute to the full diversity of the US. Please consider how your participation would promote U.S. history, culture, and values while incorporating the USA Pavilion theme of “Imagine What We Can Create Together.” Lastly, indicate your preferred style/format of programming (performances, workshops, lectures, panel discussions, master classes, and media engagements) to attract the interest and engagement of Expo visitors.
Work samples are critical to each application and are carefully considered by the review panel. Meridian strongly recommends that applicants pay close attention to the content of the work sample submissions. Audio-only recordings are acceptable, but at least one sample should be video (visual artists, culinary creatives, sport representatives, and writers please see below). Videos of live performances are preferred.
When creating and preparing work samples, Meridian recommends the following:
Music: Musicians should submit video clips in MP4 format with good audio fidelity, or any audio clips as “.wav” files.
Dance: Submit up to 3 video recordings of performances and/or workshops. The performance should have the applicant featured, not just an applicant’s choreography. Submit an ensemble selection unless the applicant is a soloist.
Visual Art (e.g. painting, photography, drawing, sculpture): Visual artists may submit high-quality digital images of up to five different works with attached descriptions. Applicants must create an Image Identification List of the images uploaded and should arrange the list in order of viewing preference. Title the page with the words “Image Identification List” and the artist’s name. For each image, include the work title, medium, size, and year. Digital images should be numbered to correspond with the Image Identification List.
Crafts: Submit digital images of up to five different works. Applicants must create an Image Identification List of the images uploaded and should arrange the list in order of viewing preference. Title the page with the words “Image Identification List” and the artist’s name. For each image, include the work title, medium, size, and year. Digital images should be numbered to correspond with the Image Identification List. Up to three videos of workshops or demonstrations may also be included.
Literature (e.g. poetry, fiction, creative writing, screenwriting, spoken word, etc.): Applicants may submit three short works in a combined PDF format not to exceed 10 pages. Spoken word applications should also submit video recordings of three contrasting pieces.
Media Arts (e.g. film, video, radio, podcasting): Work samples include up to three audio/video recordings of completed works or works in progress.
Theatre: Individuals should submit videos with contrasting roles/monologues and indicate in your application which character you are in each video. Group applicants should submit videos that demonstrate the group’s range.
Multidisciplinary: Applicants should submit the required work samples for two to three of the artistic disciplines and/or work samples that demonstrate all the disciplines.
Sports: Applicants should submit clips that showcase their skills and abilities, including from workshops or demos, as well as highlight reels or other media coverage they have received.
Culinary: Applicants should create a portfolio with five images of their dishes with a description of their work and any relevant press/media coverage. Three short videos of the preparation and presentation of dishes or cooking demos/classes can also be submitted.
The selection committee will review applications based on the following criteria:
This program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State and is implemented by Meridian International Center.
