The Grant Program
Emerging Composer Completion Grants
EMERGING COMPOSER COMPLETION GRANTS
ARTZenter Institute is pleased to announce the “Emerging Composer Completion Grants.
These grants are designed to cultivate the creation of new works for chamber orchestra and will be awarded to emerging composers, for works-in-progress.
As of February 2026, ARTZenter Institute is expanding eligibility for the Emerging Composer Completion Grant Program. In addition to composers currently enrolled in a degree granting program in composition, we will now accept submissions from composers who are within three (3) years of completion of a degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D.) at the date of application but are not currently matriculating.
NOTA BENE:
Priority for grants will be given to first-time awardees.
No applicant may receive a grant more than twice
Previous grantees must wait a minimum of one full calendar year before reapplying.
ARTZenter Institute offers
Emerging Composer Completion Grants
in three annual cycles.
- For each cycle, up to 8 finalist composers will receive $3,000 completion grants and be asked to submit a completed composition by a specified date.
- From this group of finalists, 4 winning composers will be invited to participate in a 2-day rehearsal session in San Francisco. The 4 winning composers will receive a $600 airfare/travel stipend and hotel accommodations in San Francisco.
- The session will culminate in a world premiere performance of the 4 winning works.
NEW FOR YEAR 5
- Four works chosen for world premiere performances during the 2027-28 season will be released on an ARTZenter Institute recording.
- The same four works will also be considered for publication by Universal Edition under its scodo platform.
To apply, each composer must submit:
- A draft (50-75 measures) of a Work-in-Progress with the following instrumentation (NOTA BENE: The instrumentation has changed from previous rounds):
1 1 1 1 – 1 1 1 0 – harp – up to 2 perc – 1 1 1 1 1. - A MIDI realization of the work-in-progress. (Wind doubling is limited to flute/piccolo.) One example of a completed 10-15 minute composition, along with an audio or video recording (if available – MIDI is acceptable).
- A one-page set of responses (PDF) to the five (5) questions/statements (one sentence per question) listed in the “How to Apply” section below.
Works that have been previously completed and/or have received a performance or reading will not be considered.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Year 4 Deadlines
The August 15, 2026 deadline is now closed.
Year 5 deadlines
Deadline 1: December 15, 2026 (September 2027 session in San Francisco)
Deadline 2: April 15, 2027 (January 2028 session in San Francisco)
Deadline 3: July 15, 2027 (June 2028 session in San Francisco)
ELIGIBILITY
- Composers who are currently enrolled in an academic program of study in music composition in the United States
- Composers who are not currently matriculating, but who have completed a degree within 3 years of the application deadline
- Able to submit a final score by the requested date
- Available to attend the scheduled rehearsal workshop/open work-in-progress reading sessions prior to the scheduled performance
APPLICATION DEADLINE
- December 15, 2026: Up to 8 finalist composers will be notified by January 15, 2027 and will submit final scores by April 1, 2027. The 4 winners will be notified by May 1, 2027. Rehearsals and the concert will take place on dates to be determined in September 2027.
- April 15, 2027: Up to 8 finalist composers will be notified by May 15, 2027 and will submit final scores by September 15, 2027. The 4 winners will be notified by October 15, 2027. Rehearsals and the concert will take place on dates to be determined in January 2028.
- July 15, 2027:: Up to 8 finalist composers will be notified by August 15, 2027 and will submit final scores by April 15, 2028. The 4 winners will be notified by May 15, 2028. Rehearsals and the concert will take place on dates to be determined in June 2028.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply by uploading all materials utilizing the https://artzenter.org/apply/ portal.
To apply, each composer must submit:
- A draft (50-75 measures) of a Work-in-Progress with the following instrumentation (NOTA BENE: The instrumentation has changed from previous rounds):1 1 1 1 – 1 1 1 0 – harp – up to 2 perc – 1 1 1 1 1.
- A MIDI realization of the work-in-progress. (Wind doubling is limited to flute/piccolo.)
- One example of a completed 10-15 minute composition, along with an audio or video recording (if available – MIDI is acceptable).
- A one-page set of responses (PDF) to the following five (5) questions/statements (one sentence per question):
1: Describe a non-musical experience that changed the way you think about or perceive music and/or sound.
2: Have you tried to write a piece that ultimately failed, and what did that experience teach you?
3: Is there a composer, genre, or type of music you no longer listen to as much as you once did? Why?
4: When you’re not composing, what activities engage the same creative instincts as composition?
5: What do you want your music to accomplish that you haven’t yet figured out how to achieve?
Works that have been previously completed and/or have received a performance or reading will not be considered.
AVAILABLE PERCUSSION: marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, crotales, and an array of standard drums/non-pitched percussion instruments. DO NOT INCLUDE: timpani, xylophone, trap set (drum set), tubular bells, celesta.
In considering submissions the ARTZenter panel will employ a preference for works that:
- Promote and advance the unique attributes of the applicable sinfonietta instrumentation.
- Are dramatically structured to engage the audience’s emotional experience.
- DO NOT RELY extensively on the use of ‘extended’ instrumental techniques.
- Can be performed by a skilled ensemble within the planned rehearsal schedule (1.5 hrs. over 2 days).
- Above all, the judges are seeking to identify a unique contemporary musical voice that engages an audience’s experience.
For questions about this application please contact Richard Aldag, Executive Director at richard@artzenter.org