Kresge Artist Fellowships Grant

The Kresge Artist Fellowships provide $50,000 awards to emerging and established artists in metro Detroit, supporting their careers with no-strings-attached funding and a showcase film. The program emphasizes equity, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers in the arts, while fostering artistic excellence across disciplines. A total of 25 awards will be given, including 15 fellowships and 10 Gilda Awards, prioritizing both literary and visual arts. Applicants must be 18+, residents of specific counties, and demonstrate a strong artistic track record.

NOTE:
While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend our virtual info sessions, which are designed to support artists in creating their most authentic and compelling application.Applicants for Kresge Artist Fellowship will be asked to note if they would like to be considered for a Gilda Award—there is no separate application for this award.
The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is a private, national foundation that works to expand equity and opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development, nationally and in Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans and Fresno.
Kresge Arts in Detroit
Kresge Arts in Detroit supports artists living and working in metro Detroit. Through no strings attached awards and fellowships, we elevate artists as they advance their careers on their terms.
Kresge Artist Fellowships are 50,000 awards (up from 40,000) for emerging and established metro Detroit artists. Each fellowship award includes career support and the creation of a short film showcasing the artist’s work. Fellowships recognize creative vision and commitment to excellence across a wide range of artistic disciplines, including artists who have been academically trained, self-taught artists, and artists whose art forms have been passed down through cultural heritage.
Categories
There will be 25 awards in total: 15 Kresge Artist Fellowships and 10 Gilda Awards. Fellowships and Gilda Awards will be divided between the two categories—Literary Arts and Visual Arts based on the relative number of applications received in each category.
Literary ArtsIncludes Arts Criticism, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Playwriting, Poetry, Spoken Word, Zines, and Interdisciplinary WorkVisual ArtsIncludes Book Art, Ceramics, Collage, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Installation, Metalwork, New Media, Painting, Photography, Performance Art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Video Art, and Interdisciplinary Work
Selection Criteria
Kresge Artist Fellowships recognize artists who have:
A demonstrated track record of artistic achievement and high quality work (this is the main determinant in the selection of a fellow), andThe potential to grow and advance in their artistic career, andThe potential to reflect, enhance, or impact communities within metro Detroit.

Eligibility

To apply, you must:Be 18 years or older, andBe a current legal resident of Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne county, andHave resided in Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne county for at least the two years prior to the application deadline, andIntend to remain a resident of the tri-county area throughout the fellowship period.Note: This year, there is no waiting period for previous Kresge Artist Fellows to apply.CollaborationsArtists who have an ongoing, demonstrated history of collaboration may apply together with one collaborative application. Each member of the collaborating group must meet all eligibility requirements.In addition:Applications must include 1 primary applicant and up to 4 additional collaborators, andWork samples must only include work that the collaborating artists created together, andStatements, biographical information, and work samples must convey the shared history, goals, experience, and work of the collaborating group.

Ineligibility

Who May Not Apply?Students working toward any degree at the time of application, or individuals planning to begin a degree-granting program during the fellowship year, with the exception of ABD (all but dissertation) status Ph.D. candidatesKresge Eminent Artist Award recipientsCurrent Kresge Artist Fellowship panelists, staff members of Kresge Arts in Detroit and The Kresge Foundation, or immediate family members of any of these individuals