Aminah Robinson Writer/Scholar/Researcher Residency Grant

The Aminah Robinson Writer/Scholar/Researcher Residency, supported by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, offers a unique opportunity for U.S.-based African American writers, scholars, or researchers. This residency, honoring the legacy of the late artist Aminah Robinson, provides a $15,000 cash award, lodging, and studio access in her Columbus home. Residents will engage with the local arts community and have the time and space to focus on their creative projects, fostering cultural expression and artistic growth.

Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Greater Columbus Arts Council supports artists and arts organizations through a spectrum of grant programs, workshops, networking events and services. GCAC also shares a host of resources such as calls for artists, job opportunities, nonprofit board openings and listings of spaces for rent.
GCAC provides marketing services that support artists and organizations through the ColumbusMakesArt.com event calendar, Artist Directory, and Public Art Database. We also produce the annual Big Arts Night recognizing business and individual contributions to the community and the Columbus Arts Festival, the city’s welcome to summer event that takes place each June.
Created and underwritten by the Columbus Museum of Art, the Aminah Robinson Writer/Scholar/Researcher Residency ("Writer Residency") celebrates the legacy of the late Columbus artist and writer and provides a U.S.-based African American writer, scholar or researcher with a residency in the late artist’s Columbus, Ohio home studio. Residents will have the gift of uninterrupted time to work on projects of their choice in a setting that was the heart of Aminah’s creative process for more than 40 years.
Award Details
In 2026, the residency will include a $15,000 unrestricted cash award and the honor of living and working in Aminah’s home. Lodging and studio access is provided as part of the residency. Mutually agreed upon community engagement facilitated by CMA is required and residents will have many opportunities to interact with the vibrant Columbus arts community. The resident will have access to local writers and scholars. Because Columbus does not have a robust transportation system, it is preferred that the participant bring a car to Columbus, if possible.
NOTE: The Greater Columbus Arts Council manages applications for the residency.

Eligibility

Applicants to the Aminah Writers’ Residency must:Identify as African American;Be a permanent resident of the United States;Be a professional or pre-professional or emerging writer, scholar or researcher (age 18 and older)Definition: individuals who devote a significant portion of their time to the creation of written work for submission to a publication; or as a stand-alone publication; or in submission for a graduate degree. Individuals working in a creative industry primarily producing commercial work are not eligible. Collaborative applications are NOT accepted. Each writer must apply individually.Produce work in any of the following media: fiction; non-fiction; poetry; drama; research for publication. The applicant must be the sole author of works;Produce works deeply rooted in any of the following: storytelling, cultural traditions and heritage; the centrality of African American women in art; race, racism and social activism in the arts; research about art related to the previous themes. The applicant must be the sole author of works;Are NOT enrolled as degree-seeking undergraduate students.
NOTE: Residents of Central Ohio are eligible to apply; however, recipients of the local Aminah Robinson Fellowship, are not eligible. Likewise, recipients of either an Aminah Robinson Art Residency or Aminah Robinson WSR Residency are prohibited from applying for any future Aminah Robinson programs.