Call for Emerging Artists! 2026 Emerging Artist Fellowship at Bethany Arts Community

The Bethany Arts Community Emerging Artist Fellowship is designed to offer a creative home to emerging artists, ages 21+, as they transition and deepen their professional careers and artistic practice. With provided support from BAC, Emerging Artist Fellows will be able to devote uninhibited energy towards creativity.

Emerging Artist Fellows will be in a community of artists and culture workers from a broad range of disciplines, including our Fall Multidisciplinary residents, local studio artists, BAC staff and board members, those presenting programs on campus and more! In addition, EA Fellows will be invited to participate in education and enrichment programs, curatorial planning, and peek into the “back-end” of art institutions. 

Bethany Arts Community strives to nurture the voices of emerging artists from all artistic disciplines and provide an encouraging community and creative home as artists shape their future practice and careers. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 
– Applications must be submitted through Submittable
– One Letter of Recommendation is required and must be submitted by the deadline listed below; this letter also serves as Reference #1
– One additional reference is required
Applicants selected for final consideration will be notified on March 4, 2026 and invited to interview with a Bethany Arts Community panel. 

SELECTION PROCESS 
– All applications will be reviewed by the Emerging Artist Fellowship Selection Committee. 
– Applications may be submitted between January 5, 2026 to February 20, 2026. 
– Letter of Recommendation is due by February 24, 2026 for your application to be considered. 

IMPORTANT DATES
Applications Open: January 5, 2026  
Application Deadline: February 20, 2026 at 11:59PM EST 
LOR Deadline: February 24, 2026 at 11:59 EST 
Interview Notifications: March 4, 2026 
Interview Period: March 5-6, 10-11, 2026 
Final Notifications: March 21, 2026 

Q&A SESSIONS
We are hosting four office-hours style Q&A sessions for this fellowship application on: 
Thursday, January 15, 2026 3-4PM EST 
Friday, January 23, 2026 7-8PM EST
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 3-4PM EST
Thursday, February 12, 2026 7:30-8:30PM EST 
*If you’re interested in attending any of these sessions, please email submit@bethanyarts.org with your name and chosen date/time for the Zoom link. Attending these sessions will not impact the selection process for residency. 

To check out our grounds, other residency and fellowship programs, and more visit our website at www.bethanyarts.org. If you have issues using the submission form, please contact Submittable.  

The Bethany Arts Community Emerging Artist Fellowship is made possible by the New York Community Trust. 

Deadline
Residency Length
4 months - 4 months
Languages
English
Spanish
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
2
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Book Arts
Choreography
Costume/Fashion Design
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Graphic Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Storytelling
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Only open to artists based in country the program is located
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Emerging
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Donate a work of art
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
Teach in studio
Lead workshop for the public
Lead workshop for fellow residents
Lead a skill share
Other
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Meals Provided
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Exhibition / Installation Space
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Theater
Dance Studio With Sprung Floor
Piano
Painting Workspace (Oil)
Easels
Large Sinks
Woodworking Tools
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Type of Housing
Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Additional Eligibility Information

ELIGIBILITY 
– 21+ years of age
– Active artistic practice and goals 
– Interest in community building and engagement 
– Potential to benefit from the fellowship as an emerging artist  

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
4
Artist Stipend
250
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application