MacDowell Fully Funded Fellowship 2026 Now Open, Hey, there’s this amazing chance for creative folks everywhere, you know, a really special one. It’s called the MacDowell Fully Funded Fellowship 2026, and they’re looking for artists from all sorts of backgrounds.
If you’re looking for some quiet time, a place to work, and money to help you create something significant at a famous artist retreat, you should totally check it out. Every year, MacDowell picks about 300 artists, and it’s all about how good their art is. They give these artists a residency that’s supposed to be a game-changer, helping them get inspired and grow as professionals.
This fellowship is way more than just a place to stay. It’s a real game-changer for your career, letting artists completely dive into their work, all while being part of a lively bunch of artists from everywhere.
So, what’s this all about?
The MacDowell Fellowship is a really well-known artist residency program that gives artists the dedicated time and space they need to really dig into important creative projects. Fellows live and create right there on MacDowell’s amazing campus, which is set up specifically to help them concentrate deeply, try new things, and get stuff done.
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Many artists who come here say it’s a major shift for their careers. With hardly any distractions and loads of creative freedom, fellows can create new pieces, finish big projects, and even team up with other talented artists.
Getting chosen is tough, and it’s all about how good your art is. Committees look at each artist’s past work, what they’ve accomplished professionally, and what they plan to do there to figure out who would gain the most from the residency and add the most to the creative scene.
Wondering what this fellowship is all about?
It’s a completely paid-for creative retreat aimed at clearing away money worries and logistics so artists can just dive into their projects.
For 2026, this scholarship includes:
No charges for staying or participating
Your own studio space to really get into your work
You’ll be living and working with artists from all over the world
Help with living expenses based on your needs
Money back for travel costs for those chosen
A chance to really boost your reputation internationally
Basically, the fellowship gives artists the gift of time – time to make, think, and create art that could be a real game-changer for their careers.
So, who gets to be a MacDowell Fellow?
Basically, anyone, no matter where they’re from or what their background is. They’re all about including everyone, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been creating for a while, as long as your art is really good and you’ve got a solid idea for what you want to do during your stay.
You can apply if you’re in any of these fields: architecture, film and video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theater, or visual arts.
They’ll be looking at:
- What you’ve already accomplished in your career and your past work.
- How good the samples of your current work are.
- Whether you have a clear and convincing plan for your project during the residency.
If your creative idea doesn’t quite fit into a standard box, don’t worry – you can still apply. They’re really keen on all sorts of different and fresh ways of making art.
Want to apply? Head over to: Mccdowel.org
When can you submit your application?
Applications are being accepted right now for the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 residency period. If you’re aiming for the MacDowell Fully Funded Fellowship for a residency between September 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027, make sure to get your application in by February 10, 2026.
For the Spring and Summer 2027 residency period, you can start applying on August 15, 2026. The final day to submit your application for this second round of residencies is September 10, 2026.
