Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence

View of the formal garden

View of the formal garden

Maddison Colvin, 2020 Eliza Moore Fellow working in her studio

Maddison Colvin, 2020 Eliza Moore Fellow working in her studio

Aerial view of the formal garden

Aerial view of the formal garden

Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence

Upperville, VA, United States

This is our most prestigious artist award and is open to visual artists, literary artists, dancers, and musicians. The award includes a $10,000 individual grant and requires a two-to-eight-week stay at Oak Spring. This fellowship will be granted to an exceptional artist who shows remarkable promise to contribute to a deeper understanding of the natural world, and humankind’s place in it.

The individual selected for this award will be asked to spend 2 - 8 weeks at Oak Spring where they will be able to meet with staff, explore our 700-acre landscape and our efforts in sustainable land management, and visit our rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art.  The Fellow will have ample time and space to work independently on their own projects during their stay. The only requirement during their time at Oak Spring will be to give one 45-minute presentation with time for questions, to Oak Spring staff and any other fellows or residents who might be on site.

Contact

1776 Loughborough Ln.
Upperville, VA 20184
United States

Year Founded
2018
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Embedded in a science organization or center
Associated with a foundation
Residency Program Type
Retreat
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
2 weeks - 8 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
6
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Architecture
Art History
Biology
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Dance
Documentary
Drawing
Ecology
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Environmentalism/Conservation
Fiction
Film
History
Illustration
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literature
Literary Nonfiction
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Visual Arts
Companions
N/A
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Emerging
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Give artist talk or presentation
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Unstructured time
Unrestricted funding
Research support
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to equipment, specialized facilities and/or technical support
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Additional Eligibility Information

Eligible applicants must be early-career artists not enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in the year they are awarded. The successful Fellow must be self-directed and able to work independently while on site. Applicants are expected to show dedication to their artistic practice, clear connection to the natural world in their work, exceptional promise, and good communication skills.

The application portal opens annually in winter/spring, and closes in early summer. You will be asked to submit:

  1. a resume/curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages),
  2. a 200 - 300-word statement on your artistic practice,
  3. a statement of 200 - 300 words stating how your work relates to Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s mission to “perpetuate and share the gifts of Rachel (“Bunny”) Lambert Mellon, including her residence, garden, estate and the Oak Spring Garden Library, to serve the public interest. OSGF is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating scholarship and public dialogue on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens and landscapes and the importance of plants for human well-being,”
  4. five images or videos of work that best convey your current artistic interests; images or other media must include year of creation, title, dimensions, and medium.

NOTE: When applying to this fellowship, you will be asked if you are interested in being considered for one of our other residencies, if you are not selected for the fellowship. To learn more about our residencies, visit www.osgf.org/residencies.

Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
1
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
400
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
0
US Dollar (USD)
Residency Fees
0
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support
10000
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

The Eliza Moore Fellow will receive a $10,000 individual grant.

Application Fee
0
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Pre-orientation
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Inaccessible
Additional Accessibility Information

Our site is not ADA accessible. Staff will work with individuals on a case-by-case bases to assist with accessibility needs. 

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Case by case consideration by staff
N/A
Accessibility Contact Name
Danielle Eady
Accessibility Contact Email
danielle@osgf.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
Other Services/Aids Offered in Residency + Other Programming

Staff will work with individuals on a case-by-case bases to assist with accessibility needs. 

How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

Our site is not ADA accessible. Staff will work with individuals on a case-by-case bases to assist with accessibility needs. 

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

Our accommodations and communal dining space are 20th century buildings that have renovated within the past 10 years.  Each house includes stairs up to the entrance, stairs to the basement where the laundry and drying machine are located, and stairs upstairs to the second bedroom and bathroom. 

The accommodations are all located about 0.75 miles from the communal dining hall, and 0.75 miles from most studio spaces.  The communal dining hall has steps leading up to the front door, and steps leading down to the lower floor where the bathroom is located.  Residents are required to walk or bike to their studios, and to the communal dining space.

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
Inaccessible
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
N/A
Accessible Communal Spaces
Inaccessible
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Residents will have a private bedroom and bathroom, and share a kitchen and living space with 1 - 3 other residents.  

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry in housing
WIFI available in housing
Air Conditioned Housing
Heat and Cool control managed by resident
Meals Provided
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Residents have access to shared kitchen
Additional Meals Information
Vegan meal options can be requested
Vegetarian meal options can be requested
Gluten-free meal options can be requested
Kosher and halal options can be requested
Food allergies and restrictions can be accommodated
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Easels
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Inaccessible
Studio Support/Tech
Air Conditioned
Heat and Cool control access
Additional Studio Information

Studios are equipped with basic tables and chairs, and easels and lights are available upon request.  The studio spaces are renovated farm or garage buildings, and include cement floors, overhead and tract lighting, and white walls. Residents are encouraged to let staff know if there is any equipment that they require during their stay, and OSGF will do our best to meet these needs.