McKnight Visual Artist Fellowship

The McKnight Visual Artist Fellowship program rewards Minnesota visual artists whose work is of exceptional artistic merit and who have created a substantial body of work to be at a career stage beyond emerging. The MCAD-administered fellowship program uses an independent jury of three arts professionals to competitively award six fellowships. The fellowship runs for two years, June 1, 2026–May 31, 2028, and includes:

• $25,000 unrestricted fellowship funding may be used to enhance any aspect of the artist’s life, such as overhead costs, the purchase of materials, travel, and other living expenses. (2026 payment in June, 2027 payment in January)
• $3,500 professional development funds may be used for publications, equipment/material purchases, travel expenses, workshops, etc. You can request it at any time during your fellowship. Send fellowship staff your receipts, and we will reimburse you.
• $500 of professional documentation of artwork.
• Access to MCAD’s facilities, library, and ½ off tuition for Continuing Education courses (one per semester).
• 5 studio visits total. 4 from national critics/curators/arts professionals (selected by the cohort) that will meet with each fellow individually for a one-hour visit (2 in 2027 and 2 in 2028) and 1 individualized visit that the fellow selects from either a local curator or virtual visit.
• Participation in a 1–2 week artist residency at one of twenty partnering residency programs with the Artists Communities Alliance (ACA).
• Eight hours of consulting time, support, and resources from Springboard for the Arts.
  

Application link