Native Arts Fellowship
January 31, 2025
The Native Arts Fellowship supports emerging and mid-career artists to pursue collections research projects that utilize NMAI collections. Artists may access both object and archival collections, along with research materials, housed at the museum’s Cultural Resources Center (CRC) and Vine Deloria, Jr. Library.
This fellowship is most suited to individuals who are early in their artistic careers or venturing into a new art form, or to individuals who have experience in their chosen artistic field but are not yet fully established. Applicants must also clearly demonstrate connections or ties to a community with collections at the NMAI. Fellows are expected to reside in the DC area between two to four weeks to conduct their onsite research activities.
The period of this fellowship is a maximum of 10 weeks between August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026.
The six-week virtual period will be between August 1 and September 15 focused on professional development activities and orientation to NMAI staff and collections. Artists will select two to four weeks to be in residence at the NMAI between September 15, 2025, and July 31, 2026, to pursue their collections research projects.
The Native Arts Fellowship carries a stipend of up to $7,800 (prorated based on length of tenure) and an allowance of up to $2,500 for research and research-related travel. Additional funds will be provided to help with the fellow’s travel to Washington, DC.