MCAD–Jerome Foundation Fellowships for Early Career Artists

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design is the administrative home for this fellowship for early career Minnesota-based artists. The 2024/25 MCAD–Jerome Fellowships for Early Career Artists application cycle opens on Wednesday, July 31 and closes on Friday, September 13 at noon CST.

The MCAD-administered fellowship program uses an independent jury of three arts professionals to competitively award four fellowships. The fellowship runs from December 1, 2024–March 15, 2026 and includes:

• $10,000 – The funds may be used to purchase materials, cover production costs of artwork, and to supplement living or travel costs. Awards are subject to state and federal income tax guidelines. 
• Three studio visits from professional critics (2 local, I national)
• An exhibition at the MCAD Gallery in January–March 2026.
• 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, library, and ½ off tuition for Continuing Education courses.

Since 1981, this fellowship program, funded by a grant from the Jerome Foundation, has artistically and critically advanced the careers of more than 200 visual artists.

The artists considered for these fellowships may work in a variety of visual art media, including traditional and new media. The program is aimed at visual artists who can present their work in a gallery context. Eligible applicants must be in the early stages of their careers and have not yet attained professional acknowledgment commensurate with the quality of their work. MCAD and the Jerome Foundation welcome applications from artists representing diverse cultural perspectives.

An independent jury of three arts professionals awards four grants of $12,000 each to early- career Minnesota artists. Fellowships may be used to purchase materials, cover the production costs of new artwork, and supplement living or travel costs. During the fellowship year, each artist receives three studio visits from professional critics, access to technical assistance, a culminating exhibition at the MCAD Gallery, a catalog with a critical essay on each artist’s work, and the opportunity to partake in a public panel discussion.

Contact Program Director Keisha Williams or Associate Fellowship Coordinator Melanie Pankau at gallery@mcad.edu or 612.874.3667 for more information.

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.

About the Jerome Foundation

The Jerome Foundation, founded in 1964 by artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill (1905-1972), honors his legacy through multi-year grants to support the creation, development, and presentation of new works by early career artists.

The Foundation makes grants to vocational early career artists, and those nonprofit arts organizations that serve them, in all disciplines in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City.