Organizer Information:

Northern Clay Center (NCC) is a premier ceramic arts organization located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NCC is dedicated to the advancement of the ceramic arts through education, exhibitions, and artist services, providing resources to artists at all stages of their careers.

Title & Description:

2026 Early Career Artist Residencies

This program encompasses two unique fellowships designed to provide ceramic artists with the opportunity to develop their work and exchange ideas for one year.

  • Anonymous Artist Studio Fellowship: Awarded to two early-career ceramic artists working in functional, sculptural, relational, or installation-based manners.

  • BIPOC Studio Fellowship: Supports one early-career ceramic artist of color working in functional, sculptural, relational, or installation-based manners.

Category:

Visual Art (Ceramics, Sculpture, Installation, Functional Ware)

Eligibility:

  • Career Stage: Early career artists.

  • Academic Status: Must have completed all formal academic training by the start of the grant period. Applicants cannot be currently enrolled full- or part-time in a degree-granting institution (BA, MFA, etc.). A college degree is not required to apply.

  • Employment: Cannot be employed full-time as a ceramics teacher at the college level.

  • Previous Recipients: Current residents cannot reapply until three years after their award date.

  • Note: You may apply for both fellowships with one application if eligible.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Workspace: Furnished studio space with 24/7 access to NCC’s facilities for one year.

  • Stipends: Annual material and firing stipend. The BIPOC Studio Fellowship includes additional monthly financial assistance to buttress cost of living.

  • Exhibition: A group exhibition featuring work produced during the fellowship (taking place the following January).

  • Development: Professional development and enrichment opportunities through NCC’s education and sales gallery programs.

  • Mentorship: The BIPOC Fellowship specifically includes resources to pursue mentorship and research opportunities.

Application Fee:

Free (There is no fee to apply).

Application Requirements:

  • Resume: Maximum of 2 pages (written) OR 2 minutes of recorded audio.

  • Artist Statement: Maximum of 1 page (written) OR 2 minutes of recorded audio.

  • Proposal: Maximum of 1 page explaining the intended focus/growth during the residency and the impact of the fellowship on your development.

  • Images: 10 images of completed work (JPG or PNG, 1500px on the shortest side, 300 ppi). Do not include your name on images.

  • Image List: Including artist's name, date, medium, and dimensions.

Key Dates:

  • Application Opens: January 16, 2026

  • Deadline: April 5

  • Notification Date: Mid-May 2026.

  • Residency Period: One year

How to Apply?

Applications must be submitted online via the Northern Clay Center portal.

Apply Here

Location:

Minneapolis, MN, United States (Northern Clay Center).

Additional Details:

The review panel consists of three members who select recipients based on perceived merit. Applicants should label documents clearly (e.g., LastNameFirstInitialDocument.pdf) and ensure all written documents are in PDF format.

Contact Information:

Website: www.northernclaycenter.org

Email: anastasiaspeer@northernclaycenter.org (Artist Services Coordinator)