Organizer Information
FilmNorth, in collaboration with the McKnight Foundation, administers the McKnight Media Artist Fellowships. FilmNorth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Minnesota’s filmmakers and media artists through professional development, educational programs, and community engagement. The McKnight Foundation, established in 1953, is one of the nation’s largest private foundations, with a long-standing commitment to arts and culture. Its Arts and Culture Program has been awarding fellowships to Minnesota artists and culture bearers since 1982, promoting artistic excellence, creative innovation, and professional growth. Through this partnership, the program recognizes outstanding mid-career media artists and provides flexible, unrestricted funding to support their creative practice.
Title & Description
McKnight Media Artist Fellowships 2026
The McKnight Media Artist Fellowships offer four $25,000 unrestricted awards to mid-career media artists residing and working in Minnesota. Unlike project-specific grants, these fellowships support the artist’s broader creative practice, providing financial freedom to pursue new work, experimentation, or professional development.
The program seeks individuals with a sustained commitment to media arts, demonstrated proficiency in their craft, and a record of professional accomplishment. Fellows gain not only financial support but also public recognition, opportunities for professional networking, and access to educational and developmental resources.
Activities supported under the fellowship may include, but are not limited to:
- Creation and exploration of new media arts work
- Participation in conferences, panels, and professional events
- Engagement with local and national arts professionals
- Public-facing discussions and presentations of artistic practice
Through tailored mentorship and consultation services, as well as membership and classes offered by FilmNorth, the fellowship fosters ongoing professional growth while celebrating diverse voices and experiences within the Minnesota arts community.
Categories
Media Arts, Video/Film, Screenwriting, Visual Arts, Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Must be mid-career media artists residing and working in Minnesota
- Demonstrated and sustained commitment to media arts
- Proven artistic excellence and professional accomplishment
- Open to applicants from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences
- Not restricted to project-specific work; the award is unrestricted funding
- Screenwriting fellowship applicants are selected by a single juror; other media arts applicants are evaluated by a panel of three jurors
Program Benefits & Awards
- $25,000 unrestricted fellowship to support creative practice
- $24,000 flexible disbursement (full or split over two years)
- $1,000 contingent on submission of a final report
- Public acknowledgment on FilmNorth and McKnight Foundation platforms
- Professional headshot services
- Financial assistance for attending conferences or professional events
- Year-end public panel and celebration with fellow artists
- Tailored consultation and mentorship via Springboard for the Arts
- Complimentary FilmNorth membership for one year
- Four free classes through FilmNorth during the fellowship year
- Networking opportunities with local and national art professionals
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form
- Artist Statement and CV/biography
- Portfolio or examples of work (video, audio, publications, or other media)
- Documentation of professional accomplishments and previous work
- Optional: materials demonstrating community engagement or diverse artistic practice
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 23 March 2026
Location
Minnesota, United States
Additional Details
- Fellowships are unrestricted; recipients may allocate funds as needed for creative practice
- Awards are subject to state and federal tax compliance
- Professional consultations and mentorship are provided to support career development
- Public recognition includes website, email, and social media acknowledgment
- Program prioritizes inclusion of artists from diverse backgrounds, promoting equity and access