Looking to promote your music, get your video noticed or obtain funding for that public art project you’ve been planning for years? Here are some opportunities for Stockton-area artists and musicians that you may want to check out.
• Members of the Stockton Arts Commission will be available Wednesday and Saturday to answer questions about the commission’s annual grants program. Commissioners will in the Hazelton Room of the Cesar Chavez Central Library, 605 N. El Dorado St., from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday and 1-3 p.m. Saturday.
Each year the program grants provides thousands of dollars to local artists, musicians, dancers and others working on projects in Stockton. For 2010-2011, 60 percent of the grant funding will be given to those working on projects aimed at local young people.
For more information, the grant guidelines and application packet, click here. The commission asks that those who come to the library Wednesday or Saturday bring their grants packet.
Completed grant applications can be dropped off at the city community services office, 6 E. Lindsay Street. The application deadline is 5 p.m. April 16.
• Projects supported by the arts commission funding include the Stockton Music Video Festival, set for May 22 at the Stockton Empire Theatre. The festival will have open and high school divisions and will offer best-of-festival prizes based on genre. Organizers said they have received entries from The Mike Torres Band and Tipping Point as well as students from Lincoln, Chavez, Edison and Sierra high schools. The fee for entering up to three videos in the open division is $25, while it’s free to enter the high school division. To enter or for more information, go to www.myspace.com/209muvifest.
• Tomorrow is the deadline for artists interested in submitting music to be included on a compilation released by University of the Pacific students. The students have created Right Meow Records for a class and are looking for independent musicians or bands to be part of the compilation. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, go to rightmeowrecords.tumblr.com.
• Local spoken-word poets have until Friday to enter the 2010 All-City Poetry Slam Competition. The competition is open to 100 poets ages 13-19, and the winner will open for Lupe Fiasco March 20 at the Bob Hope Theatre. For more information or to enter, go to www.withourwords.org.
• The first round of voting has started in the 209 Music Awards. Dozens of artists and venues are nominated in several categories; first-round voting will narrow the field to seven nominees in each category. For information, go to www.myspace.com/209hiphopawards. (Blogger’s note: I’ve been nominated in the best local supporter category several times, and I just learned that last year, I won. I spent a year away from covering the scene, so I’ve been a bit out of touch. Um, I’d like to thank my family, friends and the academy for this honor.) (For real, thanks to Mackalot for organizing the event and everyone who voted for me.)
• Local promoter Daniel Boatwright is looking to book up-and-coming local rock and alternative bands for concerts in Stockton. For more information, call him at (209) 390-7595.