Center for Art and Advocacy Fellowship 2027

A fellowship supporting artists with direct incarceration experience whose creative practices address mass incarceration and advance social change. Six artists will be selected for the 2027 cohort, each receiving a $20,000 grant, mentorship, and community-building opportunities. One fellowship is designated for an artist aged 18–24. Eligible disciplines include visual art, film, music, creative writing, performance, design, and multidisciplinary practices. Fellows also participate in an annual retreat involving project presentations, peer feedback, professional connections, and engagement with New York City's cultural community.

Addressing mass incarceration and advancing social change through creative practice

Applicants must be individual artists aged 18 or older who have personally experienced incarceration in U.S. prisons, jails, or detention centers. Applicants detained in migrant detention centers must have subsequently obtained U.S. citizenship by the application opening date. Applicants and projects must be based in one of the 50 U.S. states, Washington, DC, or Puerto Rico. Organizations and nonprofits are ineligible. Artists at any career stage may apply; formal artistic training is not required. Artists working on incarceration-related subjects without direct incarceration experience are not eligible. Applicants must collaborate with an advocacy organization during the development and/or execution of their proposed project; the organization need not be secured at application, and the Center can help fellows connect with one. Selection emphasizes demonstrated capacity to advance social change and a clear vision for addressing mass incarceration through creative practice. Six fellows receive a $20,000 grant each; one fellowship is reserved for an artist aged 18–24. Fellows also participate in an annual retreat with project presentations and peer feedback in New York City.