The fellowship program at Ox-Bow welcomes applications from senior-level BFA students, post-baccalaureate students, MFA students at any year of study, postgraduate artists, and artists with equivalent professional experience. The fellowship is open to artists from all backgrounds, geographic locations, and a formal degree is not required.

For the purposes of the fellowship, "emerging" does not refer to a specific age, degree, exhibition history, or number of years as an artist. It describes artists who are actively developing their practice and are at a point where dedicated studio time, mentorship, professional development, and engagement with an artistic community can meaningfully support their next stage of growth.
An artist may be emerging from a traditional academic program, developing their practice independently, returning to their artistic practice, changing careers, or pursuing an artistic path outside of traditional academic structures. There is no single timeline or career path that defines this stage.

Applicants who are not currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program may apply if they have developed an artistic practice and level of experience comparable to the students typically served by the fellowship. Equivalent experience may be demonstrated through an established studio practice, exhibitions, residencies, professional experience, independent study, community-based practice, workshops, apprenticeships, or other sustained engagement with the visual arts.There is not a single educational or professional pathway that qualifies an applicant as having equivalent experience. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their portfolio, application materials, and an interview with Ox-Bow leadership.

No. A formal degree and/or current academic enrollment are not required. Artists who have developed their practice outside of formal academic programs — including self-taught artists, independent practitioners, those who have studied through workshops and apprenticeships, and those returning to their practice after time away — are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Yes. Artists who are changing careers, returning to their artistic practice, or pursuing an artistic path outside of traditional academic structures are welcome to apply. Applicants should demonstrate through their portfolio and application materials that they have a developed or developing artistic practice and are ready to fully participate in the fellowship.

No. The Fellowship does not require a specific number of exhibitions, residencies, or other professional accomplishments. Applicants are evaluated on the strength and development of their work and their readiness for the program.

Ox-Bow recognizes that many artists are also caregivers and encourages those who are to apply. As part of our commitment to radical hospitality, we welcome conversations about how Ox-Bow can support caregiver artists and their families. We currently have limited capacity to house the families of caregiver fellows, and we work to expand that capacity over time.

Yes, after successfully completing one Fellowship summer, alumni may reapply for a second summer.

The Summer Fellowship is a fully-funded opportunity. Fellows receive room and board, a private room and studio,  a stipend and travel support.

Fellows may sign up for a studio visit with a visiting artist each week throughout the summer, with at least ten visits over the course of the fellowship. In addition, each fellow will be assigned to a dedicated small peer group of other fellows, which will meet for a series of guided group critiques and develop an on-campus exhibition of their work together.

In the Summer of 2027, Ox-Bow will introduce an Professional Practices Intensive to the fellowship program. The cohort of fellows will participate in a week-long, on-campus intensive designed to help Fellows prepare for the next stage of their artistic careers. Throughout the week, Fellows meet with critics, curators, gallerists, art administrators, entrepreneurs, and other arts professionals through studio visits, portfolio reviews, workshops, lectures, and informal conversations. Topics may include graduate school, grant writing, residencies, exhibitions, teaching fundraising, entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable creative practice.

The Fellowship is designed to foster meaningful exchange among artists. Fellows are intentionally grouped for their on-campus exhibition and critique groups based on shared interests, complementary practices, or opportunities for mutual learning. Early in the summer, a community slide night gives Fellows an opportunity to introduce their work and ideas to one another and the broader Ox-Bow community. Throughout the summer, Fellows are also invited to share their skills and creative practices through a community-facing activation of their own design.
Together, these experiences create opportunities for Fellows to learn from one another, contribute their own expertise, and build lasting creative relationships.

Yes, each Fellow will be part of small group exhibitions in the on-campus gallery, The Betsy. The fellowship cohort also has had the opportunity to exhibit work at Ox-Bow House (Ox-Bow’s public gallery and retail space in downtown Douglas, Michigan) as part of a fellowship group show.

Post-fellowship exhibitions at Ox-Bow’s gallery and office in Chicago and partner galleries provide additional opportunities for fellows to showcase their work to a wider audience. Fellowship cohorts will be notified about exhibition location and logistical details at a later date.

Fellows contribute 20 hours of work per week to support the day-to-day operations of Ox-Bow while gaining practical experience in an artist-run-community. Roles span a wide range of campus departments, including classroom studio support, archives, communications, campus operations, retail, and administration. Applicants can rank their preferred roles and describe any relevant experience in their application materials (also see, ‘What Fields of Study are available, and do I need experience in a specific area?’ for additional information). Finalists are matched to their work component through the applicant’s expressed interests, experience, portfolio, and professional goals. We ask that all fellows indicate their preference between one of the following essential work areas: culinary; grounds and maintenance; and housekeeping.

Throughout the summer, Fellows also have opportunities to serve as teaching assistants in core classes and participate in campus beautification projects. During weeks in which a Fellow is teaching or participating in beautification projects, their work hours are reduced to 10 hours per week to accommodate those responsibilities.

The fields of study are described here. 

Some roles–particularly Ceramics, Glass, and Photo & Communications–require previous experience. If you’re interested in one of these areas be sure to rank it highly and include relevant examples in your portfolio and describe related experience on your CV or in your cover letter. Other roles do not require prior experience and include on-site training.

The cohort participates in a collaborative campus-based project that contributes to the care and improvement of Ox-Bow’s campus. The project changes each summer based on campus needs and is announced during the summer.

Fellows are expected to stay on campus for the full summer (12-weeks). Our experience has shown that stepping away from Ox-Bow can disrupt studio momentum, departmental work, and the deep connections you'll build with peers and mentors. If you are a student and your school schedule affects your start or end date, we'll work with you to ensure you still get the full experience. Otherwise, Fellows are permitted no more than three days away during the summer.

Ox-Bow offers six well-equipped classroom studios—metals, ceramics, print media, painting, papermaking, and glass. While Fellows have dedicated studio spaces of their own, classroom studios are reserved primarily for students enrolled in Ox-Bow courses. However, there will be opportunities for community events and demonstrations where Fellows can engage with these spaces.

Ox-Bow offers a limited number of air-conditioned rooms for participants who demonstrate a documented  medical need, as well as family housing options for Fellows who are caregivers. If either of these considerations applies to you, please communicate these requests when prompted during the finalist process  so we can discuss available options and work to support your needs during the Fellowship. While accommodations and housing options are limited, we are committed to engaging in a thoughtful and supportive conversation with each Fellow.

Fellows should be prepared to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including settings with no air conditioning, high heat and humidity, uneven terrain, loud noise, and occasional exposure to hazardous materials. Studio work may involve operating tools and equipment, moving materials weighing up to 30 pounds, and communicating effectively with team members. Fellows should be comfortable navigating the physical demands of a hands-on, collaborative studio environment.

Apply for the 2027 season here October 20, 2026-January 3, 2027.

The Ox-Bow Summer Fellowship is highly competitive. We actively encourage applications from artists at all stages and from all institutional backgrounds. Applicants are evaluated based on the strength of their application and portfolio, their readiness for the program, and an interview with Ox-Bow leadership.

Three short written reflections:

• Statement of Purpose: Describe your work and what you hope to accomplish while at Ox-Bow.

• Community Practice: Fellows are integral members of the Ox-Bow community. What makes you a good community member?

• Shared Values: What are some examples of values you are looking for in a workplace?

Yes. Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an academic program are asked to respond to one additional prompt: Describe how this Fellowship is the right opportunity for you at this time, whether as a bridge between academic experiences, an alternative to higher education, or an intentional immersion into a para-academic structured residency at a pivotal growth edge.

The Ox-Bow Summer Fellowship has brought together artists from across the country for more than three decades. We are actively working to make our records more complete. If you are a fellow and don't see your name listed, please reach out — we want to find you. Contact us at communications@ox-bow.org.