Organizer Information:

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) (Supported by the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation). VCCA provides time and space for national and international writers, visual artists, and composers to bring forth their finest works in concentrated solitude, free from the distractions of day-to-day life.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Fellowship (Part of the Spring 2027 Mt. San Angelo Residency Period).

This fully-funded residency provides visual artists with an intense period of creative work within a community of cross-disciplinary artists in the rolling foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Category:

Visual Arts.

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open to national and international visual artists of talent and promise.
  • Demographic Focus: Preference is given to visual artists of African American or Latin American descent.
  • Returning Fellows: Artists may be in residence at Mt. San Angelo only once every two years. Returning Fellows must wait to reapply accordingly.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Honorarium: Selected fellows receive a $1,000 USD honorarium.
  • Workspace & Accommodation: A fully-funded residency for either two weeks or one month at Mt. San Angelo. This includes a private bedroom with an en-suite bath, a separate individual studio, and three meals a day in a community of cross-disciplinary artists.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: $30 USD.
  • Fee Waivers: If the application fee presents a significant barrier, you can request a waiver. You MUST begin your application on SlideRoom first, and then email vcca@vcca.com to request the waiver at least 5 days before the deadline (by May 10, 2026).

Application Requirements:

  • Submission Portal: Applications are processed via SlideRoom.
  • Application Selection: You must apply using the general "Application for Mt. San Angelo Residencies, VCCA in Virginia – Spring 2027" application. You MUST select your specific interest in the "Jacques and Natasha Gelman Fellowship" in Question 2 of the form.
  • Financial Aid: If you are also applying for general financial assistance, you must submit a copy of your most recent tax return or documentation of your income (be sure to obscure your social security number/national ID).

Key Dates:

  • Application Window Opens: February 1, 2026.
  • Fee Waiver Request Deadline: May 10, 2026.
  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2026.
  • Notification of Results: By August 31, 2026.
  • Residency Dates: Two weeks or one month with flexible scheduling between January and April 2027.

Location:

Mt. San Angelo, Amherst, Virginia, USA.

Contact Information: