Fellowship

The Hamiltonian Artists Fellowship is a two-year program for emerging visual artists seeking to establish and sustain a professional art career.

The Hamiltonian Artists Fellowship distinguishes itself as the only program in the area to offer artists two years of in-depth formal career development alongside support for artistic production. We provide fellows and the broader public invaluable opportunities to better understand the art world at large, and develop a deeper appreciation for contemporary art.

Each year, the fellowship program is tailored to suit the needs of the cohort. As a fellow, artists experience heightened visibility while gaining opportunities to grow both their artistic practice and professional network through exhibition opportunities, one-on-one mentorship, institutional access, and internal programs.

Over the course of the program, each fellow develops a landmark exhibition or gallery activation to be presented in the Hamiltonian Artists gallery in their second year. During this time, fellows are expected to be proactive in their creative and professional development while engaging with their peers and contributing to the Washington, DC-area arts ecosystem.

Fellowship benefits

  • an annual $2,000 honorarium;
  • a $750 exhibition artwork production budget;
  • access to a shared studio space;
  • seminars and exclusive discussions with art and business leaders;
  • project/exhibition planning and coordination support from Hamiltonian Artists staff, mentors, and your cohort;
  • individualized mentorship;
  • participation in at least one annual group exhibition;
  • a solo exhibition at Hamiltonian Artists in the second year of your fellowship;
  • a commissioned piece of art writing in conjunction with your solo exhibition;
  • marketing and promotion of your work and exhibitions;
  • public programming to provide context for your work; opportunity to plan a public program;
  • workshops in grant writing, tax assistance, and other professional development areas;
  • toolbox for artists including templates for press releases, contracts, exhibition checklists, and more;
  • feedback through studio visits and critiques;
  • field trips to DC-area art and cultural organizations, intimate conversations with the organization’s leaders;
  • expansion of your professional network through liaising and recommendations.

Fellowship expectations

  • attend orientation;
  • independently engage with other fellows’ studio practice;
  • develop an exhibition/project to present to the public at Hamiltonian Artists in the second year;
  • attend and participate in all project presentation meetings;
  • proactively and consistently engage with designated mentor;
  • give an artist talk in conjunction with your solo exhibition;
  • gallery sit for one Saturday during the run of your solo exhibition;
  • attend Hamiltonian Artists exhibition openings;
  • participate in regularly scheduled evening programs, including artist talks, professional development presentations, and community events.