Organizer Information

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is dedicated to perpetuating the legacy of Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon. Based on a 700-acre estate in Upperville, Virginia, the foundation inspires scholarship and public dialogue regarding the history and future of plants, the culture of landscapes, and the vital importance of plants for human well-being.

Title & Description

2026 Residency and Fellowship Programs.

These awards support exceptional practitioners in the arts, humanities, ecologies, and plant sciences whose projects align with OSGF’s mission. Fellows and residents spend 2 to 5 weeks living on-site, engaging with the foundation's Biocultural Conservation Farm, sustainable land management efforts, and the Oak Spring Garden Library, which houses over 19,000 objects including rare botanical art.

Categories

Visual Arts, Fine Crafts & Design, Creative Writing (Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Playwriting), Time-based Arts (Film, Music, Dance, Performance), and Plant Sciences/Ecologies.

Eligibility

  • Early-Career Status: Open to artists who are under-recognized but possess a proven track record of professionalism (exhibitions, publications, or previous residencies).
  • Education: Applicants must not be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in 2026.
  • Fellowship Restrictions: Individuals with an extensive number of solo exhibitions or published books are considered "established" and are ineligible for the Eliza Moore Fellowship; they are instead encouraged to apply for the Interdisciplinary Residency.
  • Qualities: Applicants must be self-directed, independent, and show a clear connection to the natural world in their work.

Program Benefits and Awards

  • Individual Grant: A $10,000 grant is associated with the fellowship to cover travel, materials, and project support.
  • Accommodations: Awardees stay in fully-furnished, shared accommodations with a private bedroom and bathroom.
  • Logistics: Ground transportation is provided from Dulles International Airport to the estate.
  • Access: Residents may volunteer at the farm and explore the 700-acre landscape and rare book library.

Fees

  • Entry Fee: None.

Application Requirements

  • Resume/CV: Maximum two pages.
  • Artistic Statement: 200–300 words.
  • Mission Alignment Statement: 200–300 words describing how your work relates to OSGF’s mission.
  • Work Samples:
    • Visual Artists: 5–10 images with full details.
    • Writers: 7–10 double-spaced pages.
    • Time-based Artists: 10 minutes of cumulative footage.
    • Poets/Playwrights: 7–10 pages of work.

How to Apply?

Applications must be submitted through the OSGF online application portal (Submittable).

Key Dates

  • Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Location

United States, Upperville, Virginia.

Additional Details

The Fellowship for Distinction in Fine Crafts and Design specifically targets early-career craftspeople or designers whose work meaningfully engages with the natural world.

Website Link: osgf.org