Short Description

Founded in 1980, the AIM Fellowship (formerly known as the “Artist in Marketplace ©” Fellowship) is The Bronx Museum’s flagship incubator and career accelerator program for the most promising artists based in NYC.

14 artists are selected for the program annually through a competitive application process. AIM Fellows are awarded a nine-month practicum led by a distinguished faculty of experts who cover finance, law, media management, and writing, among other subjects vital to maintaining and growing a successful career as an artist.

The Fellowship concludes with the annual AIM Convening at The Bronx Museum. Collaboratively organized by the outgoing cohort of AIM Fellows, the AIM Convening positions the outgoing Fellows as professional development experts, helps artists outside the AIM program access valuable information and resources for succeeding in the art world, and builds community among artists in New York City.

Although AIM is not a studio program, The Bronx Museum seeks to highlight and uplift the artwork of artists who completed the Fellowship through a dedicated biennial exhibition accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue.

AIM Fellowship Part I – Career Foundations (spring 2026)
  START DATE IN FEB – END DATE IN JUNE, 2026
  Tuesdays 6-9pm, The Bronx Museum
       CAREER FOUNDATIONS TOPICS
       • The Art Market
       • The Artist Statement
       • Community Building
       • Communication Strategies
       • The Curator/Artist Relationship
       • Financial Literacy
       • Funding Opportunities for Artists
       • Art Law


AIM Fellowship Part II – Special Topics in Career Development (fall 2026)
  SEPTEMBER START DATE – DECEMBER END DATE, 2026
  Tuesdays 6-9pm, The Bronx Museum
       TOPICS MAY INCLUDE:
       • Studio Visits
       • Portfolio Reviews
       • Peer-led sessions
       • Guest Artist Visits
       • Career Planning
       • Exhibition Preparation & Time Management
       • Working with Institutions, Big and Small
       • Audience Development
       • Community Art Practice
       • Artist Archives
       • Documentation & Presentation

Eligibility

  • Must be 21 years of age or older.
  • Must apply individually—applications from partnerships, collectives, and other groups are not accepted.
  • Must be an artist with 2-10 years of actively creating and presenting new and original work in the field of visual arts who has yet to be widely recognized within their field, the media, or the public at large.
  • Must be an NYC resident at time of application and throughout the program term.
  • Cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program in any discipline concurrent to the Fellowship.
  • Cannot be enrolled in a professional development program concurrent to the Fellowship.
  • Cannot be a current employee of The Bronx Museum or an immediate family member or employee of a Bronx Museum board member.
  • Cannot be represented by a commercial gallery (either in or outside of the U.S.)
  • Due to regulations governing the distribution of stipend, honoraria, and wage payments, enrollment is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

How to Apply

Online Application

Program Benefits & Awards

Unfolding over a 9-month period (roughly one calendar year, with a summer break), a cohort of 14 AIM Fellows engage in an introductory 5-month foundational seminar in which participants meet weekly to explore issues concerning the art market and professional best practices.

Following the introductory program period, AIM Fellows reconvene to continue their engagement through special topic seminars, studio visits with peer and established artists, and exhibition preparation and time management seminars.

After the initial 9-month period, AIM Fellows will reconvene in early 2027 to design and co-facilitate a public convening at The Bronx Museum, sharing their knowledge with other artists seeking guidance in the area of professional development and career sustainability. A group exhibition, with a theme established by The Bronx Museum, will be held roughly every two years. The group exhibition aligns with the overall program goals of advancing artistic careers and developing professional skills as an artist.

AIM Fellows demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for building a diverse community of peers in alignment with The Bronx Museum’s mission to support artists of African, Asian, and Latin American ancestry, as well as artists for whom The Bronx has been formative or transformative.

Entry Fee

None

Location

NYC, United States

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 26 October 2025

Website Link: https://bronxmuseum.org/

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