More Art is a non-profit organization based in New York that supports collaborations between artists and communities to create public art projects and educational programs that stimulate creative engagement with critical social and cultural issues. Since 2004, our focus has been to provide free, accessible, public art and programming to all New Yorkers, and to support artists—from emerging to established—in producing work that engages communities, welcomes a diverse range of people and practices, and reflects the social, political, and lived realities of New Yorkers today.
What to expect
The program is a hybrid model, including some in-person events and some virtual.
Each Fellow will receive monthly 1-to-1 individualized mentorship sessions with More Art staff. Additionally, the Fellowship Leader will facilitate monthly writing workshops and open studios, tailored to the practices and needs of the cohort. The program will culminate in final presentations by each Fellow, public or otherwise, of or about work developed over the course of the program. At the end of the year, Fellows can expect to receive a small stipend of at least $200 each (each member of a collective will receive a stipend) to be used for expenses related to their practice. Fellows can also expect to spend 15 hours per month on average on More Art-related work.
Some topics covered in previous workshops include:
- History of Public Art
- Education for and history of Socially Engaged Art (SEA)
- Step-by-step Guide to Creating Socially Engaged Public Art
- Equitable practices and ethics to consider for SEA
Who can apply?
The Engaging Artists Fellowship offers insights and strategies to collaborate with communities, rebuild and shape our society, and build sustainable careers. More Art welcomes applications from NYC artists of all disciplines, including but not limited to: visual artists, performers, choreographers, musicians, designers, and new media artists. Currently enrolled undergraduate students may not apply. Collective applications are welcome. An interest in socially engaged practice is crucial.
Please note: Your project does not need to and, in many cases, should not conclude within the Fellowship year. However, we do ask that you present your work (in progress or otherwise) to your Fellowship cohort, a targeted audience, and/or the public. The Fellowship is a program for incubation, experimentation, collaboration, and implementation stages of early socially engaged public art projects. We understand and encourage artists who see the combination of socially engaged work and creative practice as a long-term commitment. As a result, many Fellowship projects become multi-year initiatives that the Fellowship supports in the early stages.
Qualifications
- Interest in More Art’s work and eagerness to learn (no prior experience in public art or socially engaged art necessary!)
- Willingness to present, support, and attend work produced in community and public settings, as opposed to galleries and museums
- Strong commitment to More Art’s values, including but not limited to social justice and public engagement, inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and collaboration
- Commitment to intersectional thinking and artmaking
- Willingness to act with care and respect toward all collaborators, including More Art staff, other Fellows, and community members
- Eagerness to contribute to a nurturing environment with and for Fellows
Interest in establishing and/or sustaining partnerships with community-based organizations, advocacy groups, agencies, neighborhoods, places, individuals and/or groups of New Yorkers - Belief that art and artists are integral to empowering social justice movements by creatively illuminating social issues, engaging new audiences in activism, and catalyzing public discourse
Requirements
- Over 18 years of age
- Not enrolled in a degree program during the time of the Fellowship
- NYC-based during the time of Fellowship
- We ask that Fellows not commit to more than 2 other residencies and/or fellowships during their Fellowship year with More Art to avoid scheduling conflicts and spreading oneself too thin
Fellowship output + expectations
Over the course of the Fellowship year, Fellows are expected to:
- Develop a Theory (or theories!) of Change , with help from the Fellowship Leader
- Develop a set of individualized goals for the Fellowship year
- Develop a final presentation (public, or otherwise), with assistance from More Art staff, of or about the work you’ve developed during the More Art Fellowship
- Attend monthly 1-to-1 individualized mentorship meetings with More Art staff
- Attend monthly in-person and virtual workshops/artist talks
- Attend monthly open studios facilitated by the Fellowship Leader
Application + selection information
September 1, 2022: Application opens.
November 1, 2022 by 11:59 EST: Applications due. *Note, this year there will be no extension.
November 16-30, 2022: Shortlisted candidates will receive interviews.
December 1, 2022: Selected Fellows will be notified.
Information session
An information session about More Art’s Fellowship will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 6 – 7:30pm EST. Click here to RSVP and receive a Zoom link.
Please email madison@moreart.org with any questions about the Fellowship or application process. They will respond as soon as possible!
Apply here.