Support Our Special Initiatives

The Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency is dedicated to fostering creativity, community, and preservation. These are three key initiatives driving our focus that you can be a part of cultivating today:

Crafting the Future

A Teen Takeover of Campus, Centering the Next Generation

In the summer of 2026, Ox-Bow will welcome Crafting the Future to our campus, a powerful new partnership with artist Corey Pemberton and his national organization of the same name. The pilot will take place July 5–11, 2026. This immersive week-long experience will bring 28 high school students, primarily BIPOC teens aged 15–18 with limited access to arts education, to Ox-Bow’s Saugatuck campus during the heart of the summer season. The program builds on strong existing ties: Corey has taught at Ox-Bow in previous summers, and several Crafting the Future students have already attended individual Ox-Bow classes outside of this partnership. These earlier connections have laid important groundwork for the pilot, demonstrating both the impact of Ox-Bow’s environment and the potential for deeper, long-term collaboration.

Why This Matters: Guided by Ox-Bow’s core values—education, community, environment, and history—Crafting the Future opens doors for the next generation of artists. At a time when access to public school arts education is shrinking, especially for youth from underrepresented backgrounds, this initiative offers space, mentorship, and transformative creative experiences in an artist-built setting that has shaped artists’ lives for over a century.

Scholarship Opportunities

If you are interested in having a direct impact on the trajectory of a young artist’s life, Ox-Bow offers a variety of scholarships for students taking credit or non-credit courses to ensure that the Ox-Bow experience is open to everyone. Our scholarships provide critical financial assistance, enabling talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their artistic passions. By supporting these scholarships, you help nurture the next generation of artists and contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant artistic community.

Founders' Stewardship Fund

The Founders' Stewardship Fund is dedicated to growing resources to support the ongoing care and preservation of our historic campus and natural environment. This fund ensures that our unique and inspiring spaces are maintained for future generations of artists. Contributions to the Founders' Stewardship Fund help us preserve the natural beauty and historical significance of Ox-Bow, sustaining our mission of providing a serene and nurturing environment for creativity and artistic growth.