Rochester, NY-- The Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester and New York Foundation for the Arts are offering Special Opportunity Stipends (S.O.S.) for artists in the Genesee Valley/Finger Lakes region. Artists in all disciplines can apply for $50 to $600 stipends to take advantage of a unique opportunity that will significantly advance their work or career development. During 2001-2002, $7,000 will be available to distribute in each of the three rounds. New this year, the stipends will be increased from $500 to $600 per stipend.

Application deadlines for 2001-2002 are:

Round 1 Applications Due at 5 pm Monday, Sept. 24, 2001 For Opportunities in Nov. 2001 - Feb. 2002

Round 2 Applications Due at 5 pm Monday, February 4, 2002 For Opportunities in March - June 2002

Round 3 Applications Due at 5 pm Monday, May 20, 2002 For Opportunities in July 2002 - October

2002 Applications for Special Opportunity Stipends are available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, 277 North Goodman Street, Rochester, New York 14607. To be eligible, an artist must have been a resident for the past year in one of the following counties: Monroe, Cayuga, Livingston, Genesee, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Yates, Wayne, or Wyoming.

Special Opportunity Stipends are funded by the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, and are administered in the Genesee Valley/Finger Lakes area by the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester in cooperation with area arts councils.