Apply

• Hamiltonian Fellows are each asked to focus on a single major project throughout the duration of their fellowship, culminating in a solo show or presentation in their second year. Please describe a current artistic pursuit that you might build upon. (250-word max)
  
• How do you envision the next phase of your professional career as an artist? (150-word max)
  
• What are some professional challenges that you feel are currently holding you back from reaching that next phase? (100-word max)
  
• Using our fellowship offerings as a blueprint, what knowledge, skills, and overall professional development would help you mitigate these challenges? (150-word max)
  
• Are you currently operating within, or in search of, an artist community? In either case, what does showing up in that community look like to you? (150-word max)
  
• Please list four visual artists you like to think about. (20-word max)
  
• Please tell us about some of your interests outside of art. (150-word max)
  
• Do you currently have a studio space? (yes or no)
  

• Scores are calculated using a weighted system
  
  Artwork (50%)
• Artist statement
• Work samples:
  • artistic strength
  • cohesion of portfolio
  • quality of images, audio, or video
• Support materials (if applicable)
  
  Growth potential (30%)
• Artistic pursuit applicant intends to build upon:
  • uniqueness
  • project feasibility
  • connection to applicant’s current artistic practice
• Potential to gain or develop new skills and knowledge o Current challenges and future professional goals
  
  Community (20%)
• Community values
• Potential cohort contributions
• Interests and artistic inspirations

The program is open to emerging visual artists 21 years old or older. Applicants may not be enrolled in any full-time degree program or equivalent.

Ideal candidates exhibit artistic vision and are at a point in their art career where they would significantly benefit from the professional development Hamiltonian Artists could provide. They have a clear understanding of their work and its context within and outside of the art world, an established practice, and sense of their goals. They are interested in working with a cohort of Fellows and offering support to a tight knit community of artists in DC and surrounding areas. They understand and accept the responsibilities and benefits that an opportunity like this affords and are willing to give their time and energy as they receive the time and energy of their peers and the program.

Artists from anywhere are eligible to apply. However, due to the strong in-person participatory nature of the fellowship program, the intensive time commitment, and the limited financial support available, artists based outside the Washington, DC-area must live in the area for the full duration of the fellowship or have the capacity to travel to DC on a monthly basis.

Artists are responsible for their own housing. 

We consider all emerging visual artists who work in a variety of mediums, in order to form a dynamic cohort.

Hamiltonian Artists defines “emerging artist” as a creative person whose work is just starting to gain recognition in the art world. They may be at the beginning of their career or recently graduated from an art program. Emerging artists are often working to build their portfolio, establish their name, and refine their craft or concept. They may not have yet exhibited a large body of work; however, they may have exhibited in a few shows or caught the attention of art professionals, like curators, gallerists, or art critics.

No. You must have an established studio practice and a clear understanding of your goals. Your work needs to convey artistic vision, and you should be at a point in your art career where you would significantly benefit from the professional development Hamiltonian Artists provides.

A cohort of three to five fellows.

Please see the list of fellowship expectations on the About page. 

In accepting admission to Hamiltonian Artists, artists agree to participate in the full two-years of programming. While short term residencies or research travel may be permissible upon Hamiltonian fellowship manager approval, fellows who are not able to attend programs on a regular basis and are consistently absent from events and programs will forfeit their participation in the program.

We offer a full spectrum of professional support, exhibition opportunities, professional development, community, and access to established arts professionals locally and nationally. Please see the full list of benefits on the About page.

Yes. Each fellow receives an annual honorarium of $2,000 and a $750 exhibition artwork production budget.

The first $1,000 is distributed in January and the second $1,000 is distributed in June of each year of your fellowship. The honorarium may be used at your discretion, but is intended to support the advancement of your practice and the work you do with Hamiltonian Artists.

The $750 budget will be distributed four months ahead of your assigned exhibition opening date. Exhibition production stipend funds are to be used specifically toward the production of your new work that will be presented in your Hamiltonian Artists solo exhibition or final project.

Second-year fellows are provided with up to three months of on-site studio space in preparation for their solo exhibition or final project.

Our building spans two levels: the gallery is located on the first floor, and studios are located on the second floor. At this time, studios are only reachable by two narrow flights of stairs; we acknowledge and apologize that this limits access for people.

The gallery can be accessed from the south-facing public entrance by a single step. There are two all-gender accessible restrooms with handrails, located in the back hallway of the gallery. The hallway can be accessed by two single steps. Each first floor entryway and interior step can be made ADA wheelchair accessible upon request, by removable ramp.

Closed captions are available for all virtual fellowship programs. In-person programs may be made accessible with ASL interpretation upon advance request.

In striving to create accessibility for all, Hamiltonian Artists welcomes inquiries from applicants with specific questions, to ensure we are prepared to meet the needs of any potential fellow. Please direct fellowship accessibility questions to lily@ha-dc.org.