Organizer Information
McKnight Fellowships for Visual Artists are administered by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) in partnership with the McKnight Foundation, a private philanthropic organization supporting arts, education, and community development in Minnesota. The program identifies and supports mid-career
visual artists whose work demonstrates exceptional artistic merit and contributes to Minnesota’s cultural landscape. MCAD oversees application management, jury selection, and professional development programming, while the McKnight Foundation provides funding and long-term fellowship support. The fellowship emphasizes artistic excellence, mentorship, professional growth, and peer exchange through studio visits, residencies, and a series of structured development activities.
Title & Description
McKnight Fellowships for Visual Artists 2026
The McKnight Visual Artist
Fellowships program aims to recognize and support mid-career Minnesota visual artists whose work demonstrates exceptional quality and artistic merit. This two-year fellowship, running from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2028, offers six fellowships through a competitive, jury-based selection process. Fellows receive unrestricted funding to enhance their artistic practice, professional development resources, and access to networks of national arts professionals. The program includes studio visits, professional documentation, opportunities for residencies at partnering organizations via the Artists Communities Alliance, and half-off tuition for continuing education courses at MCAD. Fellows participate in cohort activities, peer discussion sessions, and gain recognition for contributions to Minnesota’s visual arts landscape. This program is specifically designed for artists beyond the early-career stage who have sustained professional engagement in their field.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Drawing
- Printmaking
- Photography
- Mixed Media
- Multimedia / Film / Video / Animation
- Installation
- Sound / Moving Image
Eligibility
- Must be a resident of Minnesota for at least one year prior to application (since March 20, 2025) and maintain residency for the fellowship duration.
- Mid-career artists with at least eight years of publicly shared work experience (e.g., exhibitions, publications, performances, screenings, residencies, awards).
- Artists who work within a fine arts context, including broad visual arts categories listed above.
- Applicants must participate fully in all fellowship activities, including studio visits, meetings, and professional development programs.
- Only one application per artist in any disciplineis allowed for 2026.
- Artists who received a McKnight Fellowship within the past five award years are ineligible.
- Not eligible if currently enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program.
- No conflict of interest with MCAD or McKnight Foundation staff or immediate family members.
Program Benefits & Awards
- $25,000 unrestricted fellowship funding for artistic or living expenses.
- $3,000 Professional Development Funds for equipment, materials, publications, workshops, or travel.
- Professional documentation of submitted artworks.
- Access to MCAD facilities and library, plus ½ tuition for one Continuing Education course per semester.
- Five studio visits: four by national critics/curators (cohort-based) and one individualized visit by a local curator or virtual reviewer.
- 1–2 week residency at one of the twenty ACA partner programs.
- Eight hours of consulting support from Springboard for the Arts.
- Opportunities to engage with local and national arts professionals and peer fellows.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit via the online portal:
- Proof of Minnesota residency (driver’s license, utility bill, lease, etc.)
- CV / Résumé (list of exhibitions, awards, grants; no personal contact info)
- Artist statement (max 500 words)
- Work samples (maximum 10 files or equivalent, any combination of image, video, audio, PDF; see guidelines for file sizes and durations)
- Images: max 10 files, JPEG, 5 MB each
- Video: 1–10 minutes total, acceptable formats mp4/mov/etc., 415 MB max each
- PDF: max 10 pages, 5 MB per file
- Optional 100-word annotations for work samples
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 March 2026
- Studio Visits for Finalists: May 14–15, 2026
- Notification of Results: Tuesday, May 27, 2026
- Fellowship Period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2028
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Additional Details
- The fellowship is blind-juried, and all panelists are external, diverse arts professionals.
- The program values sustained artistic practice and recognizes mid-career contributions that impact the Minnesota arts community.
- Applicants must adhere to the community values statement emphasizing respect, transparency, and harm-free engagement within the McKnight Fellowships network.
