Organizer Information
Established in 2024 by the Ponsold Motherwell Charitable Trust, this endowment promotes scholarship on Provincetown art and artists. The program is hosted by the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), utilizing its extensive collections, archives, and research resources to build a lasting body of art-historical literature.
Title & Description
The Robert Motherwell and Renate Ponsold Research Fellowship 2026.
This is a one-year, low-residency program designed to support scholars conducting original research on the visual art and artists of Outer Cape Cod, with a primary emphasis on Provincetown. Fellows are expected to produce work that broadens and diversifies the cultural history of the region. Successful applicants will contribute to the field through a public lecture, a publishable academic paper, and participation in PAAM’s Biennial Art History Symposium.
Categories
Art History, Curatorial Studies, Visual Arts Research, and Scholarship.
Eligibility
- Open to PhD-holding professionals including professors, curators, and independent researchers.
- Open to PhD students in accredited art history or curatorial programs.
- Student applicants must have university approval and have met all degree requirements except the dissertation before the start date.
- Research teams may apply if at least one member individually qualifies.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Stipend: Up to $25,000 per fellow or research team.
- Allowances: Up to $5,000 for travel and housing.
- Professional Exposure: Presentation of findings in a public lecture and inclusion in the Biennial Art History Symposium.
- Media Engagement: Participation in a video interview with PAAM’s Digital Content Officer upon completion.
Fees
- Application Fee: None.
Application Requirements
- Research Proposal: A specific and detailed document indicating why PAAM/Provincetown is appropriate for the study.
- Research Summary and Curriculum Vitae.
- Academic Transcripts: Required for all applicants except senior scholars.
- References: Two references, with at least one from an art history professional.
- Timetable: A feasibility plan for the proposed research period.
How to Apply?
Complete applications must be submitted online via the PAAM application portal. Note that application progress is not saved, so all materials should be prepared in advance. Apply for the Fellowship
Key Dates
- Application Opens: March 16, 2026.
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
- Results Announcement: To be communicated by PAAM following panel review.
Location
United States, Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Additional Details
While the program is low-residency, fellows are expected to spend significant time on-site at PAAM. Evaluation is conducted by a panel of scholars in American Art based on scholarly merit, feasibility, and commitment to equity and accessibility.