Organizer Information:

The University of Texas at Austin (Department of Art and Art History) offers this prestigious fellowship located in a small artist community in the St. Elmo district of South Austin.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the St. Elmo Arts Residency Fellowship.

This 9½-month residency provides one recent MFA graduate with extensive resources to transition into their professional and academic career. The fellow will balance dedicated studio time with teaching responsibilities at UT Austin, culminating in a solo exhibition.

Category:

Visual Arts.

(Specializing in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, or multimedia).

Eligibility & Strict Constraints:

  • Who: Recent MFA graduates only.
  • Graduation Window: You must graduate (or have graduated) from your MFA program between August 2025 and July 1, 2026. (If you graduated before August 2025, or will not graduate by July 1, 2026, you cannot apply).
  • Location of Degree: Only artists who graduate from MFA programs based in the U.S. can apply.
  • Exclusions: Students and alumni of the UT Austin MFA program are ineligible.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Financial Support: A $40,000 stipend, plus access to health insurance and benefits (with premiums partially paid for by UT).
  • Workspace & Accommodation: 24-hour access to a private 1,800-square-foot studio, and a private furnished house that can accommodate the resident and a partner. (Note: The house cannot accommodate children or pets).
  • Professional Development: Part-time teaching experience at UT Austin and a solo exhibition at the Visual Arts Center.

Fellow Responsibilities:

  • Teaching: Teach one Studio Art class per semester (two classes total).
  • Workshops: Lead one practice-based workshop per semester (two total).
  • Public Engagement: Present a public lecture on your work for the UT Arts Community and present a solo exhibition at the Visual Arts Center.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: Free to apply (conducted via Interfolio's free Dossier account).

Application Requirements:

Submit the following via the Interfolio portal:

  1. CV.
  2. Artist Statement (max 500 words).
  3. Teaching Statement (max 800 words): Detail your general interest in teaching a college course in your specialty, and your ideas for teaching a Fine Arts Practicum (an undergrad course on continuing art-making post-graduation and the path to an MFA).
  4. Illustrated Portfolio: A PDF with 20 images (include title, date, medium, dimensions, and short description). For video/audio, provide links in the PDF.
  5. Additional Academic Materials: * A PDF listing the names, emails, and phone numbers of three references. (Letters are only requested if you make the second round, at which point they must be received within 10 days).
    • An unofficial transcript.
    • A letter/email from your faculty committee chair or department head confirming your graduation date falls between Aug 2025 and July 1, 2026.

How to Apply?

Apply online using the Interfolio portal linked on the UT Austin website.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: April 20, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern Time).
  • Residency Dates: August 10, 2026 – May 31, 2027 (9½ months).

Location:

Austin, Texas, USA.

Contact Information:

Email: info@utvac.org (Subject line: St. Elmo Arts Residency Fellowship)

Website: St. Elmo Arts Residency Info