Organizer Information:

The Center for Craft administers this fellowship to support and advance the field of craft in the United States. They aim to foster research into underrepresented and non-dominant craft histories, highlighting communities and approaches that have historically been sidelined.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the 2026 Craft Archive Fellowship.

This program awards four fellowships to support archival research on non-dominant US craft histories (including but not limited to feminist, intersectional, queer, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander narratives). Fellows are encouraged to use both conventional and innovative archival research methods. The fellowship culminates in an article published in Hyperallergic in September 2027, making the research accessible to a massive international audience, alongside a virtual presentation hosted by the Center for Craft.

Category:

Fellowships / Research.

(Open to craft history, archival research, and community-engaged practices).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Scholars (from emerging to established), independent researchers, and artist researchers. Applicants must be over the age of 21.
  • Requirements: Applicants must be able to receive taxable income in the United States or U.S. territories for the duration of the project.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Grant: A $5,000 USD stipend to conduct research in an archive of the fellow's choosing.
  • Exposure: A featured publication in Hyperallergic and a public virtual presentation.

Application Fee:

Free.

Program Costs:

  • The $5,000 stipend is intended to cover the costs of conducting the archival research (travel, access fees, materials, etc.).

Application Requirements:

Applications are submitted via SlideRoom and require:

  1. Cover Sheet: Including a 50-word research summary and the names of the intended archives.
  2. Project Description: A 500-word narrative outlining your research question, ideological framework, and methodology.
  3. Community Statement: A 500-word description of your relationship to the area of study and your community-engaged experience.
  4. Logistics: A project timeline (Sept 1, 2026 – Sept 30, 2027) and a completed budget expense form.
  5. Optional Portfolio: Up to 5 work samples (images, audio, video, or PDFs) that complement the proposal.

How to Apply?

Submit your application via the Center for Craft's SlideRoom portal. (Note: A free, virtual Information Session will be held on April 7, 2026; registration is required).

Key Dates:

  • Info Session: April 7, 2026 (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET).
  • Application Deadline: May 20, 2026.
  • Fellowship Period: September 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Location:

United States (Independent Archival Research).

Contact Information:

Email: mgoodman@centerforcraft.org

Website: Center for Craft Archive Fellowship