Welcome to the 2026/27 MCAD–Jerome Foundation Fellowships for Early Career Artists application.     

Deadline: Friday, September 11, at noon (CT) 

PLEASE READ the Application Guidelines (download here) prior to starting your application as some components of the application process have changed and expanded. More information about the juror selection, jurying process, and review criteria can be found on page 3 of the Application Guidelines. 

The MCAD-administered fellowship program uses an independent jury of three arts professionals to competitively award four fellowships. The fellowship runs from December 1, 2026–March 15, 2028 and includes:   

• $10,000 in unrestricted award funds.
• $1,000 in professional development funds (reimbursement-based–receipts required). The funds may be used to purchase materials, cover production costs of artwork, and to supplement living or travel costs. Awards/ professional development funds are subject to state and federal income tax guidelines. 
• Three studio visits from professional critics (2 local, 1 national).
• An exhibition at the MCAD Gallery in January–March 2028.
• A catalog with a critical essay on each artist’s work.
• The opportunity to partake in a public panel discussion.
• Access to MCAD’s facilities (a link for detailed access info), library, and ½ off tuition forContinuing 

INFORMATION SESSIONS AND ONE-ON-ONE MEETING 

• Application Overview presented by Program Director Keisha Williams    

• Work Samples, Statements, and Application Strategies presented by 2025/26 MCAD–Jerome fellow Suriya SamKhuth.

Applicants are welcome to schedule one-on-one appointments (over the phone or Zoom) with fellowship staff to receive feedback on their application before submitting. Please call or email Keisha Williams, program director, or Melanie Pankau, fellowship coordinator, at 612.874.3667 or gallery@mcad.edu. In order to provide cohesive feedback, applicants must email the fellowship staff their application materials (ten work samples, resume, artist statement, and fellowship goals statement) one day prior to their scheduled meeting. Please note we will not be able to schedule one-on-one meetings the week prior to the application deadline (September 7–11).                             

For further information, contact:                       

Keisha Williams, Program Director, 612.874.3667 or gallery@mcad.edu                           

Melanie Pankau, Fellowship Coordinator, 612.874.3803 or gallery@mcad.edu