Organizer Information
Backslash is a program based at Cornell Tech in New York City that facilitates deep collaboration between artists and technical researchers. Taking its name from the "escape" character in programming, the fellowship encourages artists to move outside normal modes of input and output to explore "nonlinear, unconventional, and exceptional" approaches to technology.
Title & Description
2026 Backslash Fellowship and Interventions.
This initiative supports artists in creating significant new works or transforming existing ones through engagement with "bleeding-edge" digital research. The program is built on sustained teamwork with dedicated technical collaborators, including PhD students and faculty, to advance an artist's technical agency and inspire a lasting transformation of their practice.
Categories
Digital Art, Emerging Technology, AI & Machine Learning, Robotics, Computational Fabrication, Computer Vision, and Human-AI Interaction.
Eligibility
- Fellowship (Established Artists): Artists with a sustained professional practice, institutional recognition (major exhibitions, significant grants), and published critical coverage.
- Interventions (Emerging/Mid-Career): Artists in earlier stages of practice with limited exhibition history and minimal institutional recognition.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Backslash Fellowship ($50,000 Total):
- $20,000 artist stipend.
- $20,000 for project materials.
- $10,000 for a dedicated technical PhD or faculty collaborator.
- One-year Visiting Fellow appointment at Cornell Tech starting in September.
- On-campus studio space and badged campus access.
- Backslash Interventions ($11,000 Total):
- $8,000 artist stipend.
- Up to $3,000 for PhD and Masters student collaborators.
- One-year Visiting Artist academic appointment.
- Access to Cornell Tech’s makerspace, labs, and community.
Fees
- Application Fee: None mentioned.
Application Requirements
- Fellowship: A 2–4 page proposal for a new artwork engaging specific research activities.
- Interventions: A 1–3 page proposal on using Cornell Tech activities to advance an existing work.
- Technical Fit: Selected applicants undergo an interview process to ensure technical compatibility with potential collaborators.
How to Apply?
Submit proposals electronically via the official Backslash application portal. Apply for Backslash 2026.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: May 8, 2026.
- Appointment Start: September 2026 (Academic Year 2026–27).
Location
United States, New York City (Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Campus).
Additional Details
Research areas include Matter of Techlab (Accessibility/Fabrication), Interaction Research Lab (Robotics/Autonomous Systems), Controllable Generation (CV/Graphics), Algorithmic Fairness, and Interpretable AI. Fellows are expected to contribute to campus life through public events and mentorship sessions.