Working artists activate our communities and deepen the dimension and quality of our lives.
Support for individual artists has been a focus of the McKnight Foundation’s Arts & Culture program since its inception. McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships increase the exploratory opportunity, economic stability, and productive capacity of artists by providing $25,000 in unrestricted support for midcareer artists and discipline-specific artistic and professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
Contact one of our fellowship program partners below for discipline-specific deadlines, guidelines, and further information.
Book Artists
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Fellowships: Two $25,000 Awards.
Ceramic Artists
Northern Clay Center
Fellowships: Two $25,000 Awards.
Residencies: $5,000 for a 3-month residency in Minnesota, plus $300 for a public workshop.
Choreographers
The Cowles Center
Fellowships: Three $25,000 awards.
Composers
American Composers Forum
Fellowships: Four $25,000 awards, plus one month at an artist residency site.
Residencies: $15,000 for a two-month residency in Minnesota.
Community-Engaged Practice Artists
Pillsbury House Theatre
Fellowships: Two $25,000 awards.
Culture Bearers
Indigenous Roots
Fellowships: Four $25,000 awards to culture bearers who practice sacred and healing lifeways and share cultural art practices across generations.
Dancers
The Cowles Center
Fellowships: Three $25,000 awards.
Fiber Artists
Textile Center
Fellowships: Two $25,000 awards.
Media Artists
FilmNorth
Fellowships: Four $25,000 awards.
Musicians
MacPhail Center for Music
Fellowships: Four $25,000 awards, plus an optional $2,500 each for a community project. Five additional finalists receive $1,000 for audition.
Playwrights
The Playwrights’ Center
Fellowships: Two $25,000 awards.
National residency and commission: $12,500 award for a residency in Minnesota.
Printmakers
Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Fellowships: Two $25,000 awards.
Theater Artists
The Playwrights’ Center
Fellowships: Three $25,000 awards to actors, directors, theatrical designers, and others whose main body of work is primarily an element of theater production.
Visual Artists
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Fellowships: Six $25,000 awards.
Additional Fellowship Partners
The McKnight Artist Fellowships program works with two additional partners to support artists and culture bearers throughout their fellowship experiences.
Fellow Residencies
Artist Communities Alliance
Artist Communities Alliance administers the McKnight Artist Residency Consortium designing residencies for McKnight fellows and supporting the community of participating residence sites.
Support Services
Springboard for the Arts
Springboard for the Arts provides information sessions and support for artists and culture bearers who apply for McKnight fellowships; offers professional development and customized consultation opportunities for McKnight fellows; and supports the community of fellowship partners.