McKnight Media Artist Fellowships Grant

McKnight Media Artist Fellowships Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: FilmNorth
Amount: US $25,000
Last Updated: January 31, 2026

Summary

The McKnight Media Artist Fellowships, offered by FilmNorth in collaboration with the McKnight Foundation, provide four $25,000 fellowships to mid-career media artists residing in Minnesota. These fellowships aim to recognize artistic excellence and support the creative work of individuals with a strong commitment to media arts. In addition to the financial award, fellows benefit from public acknowledgment, networking opportunities, and professional support, fostering a vibrant community of artists.

Overview

McKnight Media Artist Fellowships FilmNorth is excited to collaborate with the McKnight Foundation to offer four $25,000 fellowships and public recognition of media artists beyond the stage of emerging who reside and work within the state of Minnesota. This is not a project-specific grant. Founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists and culture bearers thrive, the McKnight Foundation’s arts and culture program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Support for individual working Minnesota artists and culture bearers has been a cornerstone of the program since it began in 1982. The McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships Program provides annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in 15 different creative disciplines. Program partner organizations administer the fellowships and structure them to respond to the unique challenges of different disciplines. Currently, the foundation contributes about $2.8 million per year to its statewide fellowships. These fellowships are designed for individuals with a demonstrated and sustained commitment to media arts, showcasing artistic excellence and exhibiting a high level of proficiency in their craft. In addition to the $25,000 unrestricted award in support of their creative work and practice, McKnight Media Artist Fellows will receive: Public acknowledgment of their award and career accomplishments through the website, email, and various social media platforms Opportunities to meet with local and national art professionals Organization and promotion of a year-end public discussion panel and celebration featuring the fellows Financial assistance toward attending professional conferences and events Professional headshot services Tailored professional support consultations tendered by Springboard For The Arts Invitation to the annual McKnight Fellows Event held at the Foundation One-year FilmNorth membership offered at no cost Four complimentary classes through FilmNorth during the fellowship year FilmNorth warmly invites artists from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply, recognizing and celebrating the wealth of perspectives and experiences they bring to our programs.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants categorize themselves as one of the following designations:Writers in film, television, and streaming Directors in film, television, and streaming Podcast and radio artists Interactive and virtual reality creative artists Creative artists specializing in web, computer, video, and interactive games Creative artists specializing in emerging forms of mediaEstablish or sustain residency in Minnesota for a minimum of one year before the application deadline and throughout the fellowship year.Qualify as an artist beyond the stage of emerging, as defined below, showcasing a body of work that consistently reflects artistic excellence, a clear and unique vision, professional achievements, and commitment.To demonstrate that you are beyond the stage of an emerging artist, you must:Have a minimum of five years of experience as a practicing artist. Present documentation verifying recognition in your designated field.If you are submitting as a writer in film, television, and streaming you must present evidence of one of the following acknowledgements:A feature-length screenplay or a television script that has been produced or optioned for production by an entity other than yourself or one under your ownership. Moreover, the said production company must possess a minimum of one produced feature film or television credit. Achievement of semi-finalist, finalist, or winner status in a national screenwriting competition outside of Minnesota (e.g., Nicholl, Austin, Slamdance, etc.). Hold membership in the Writers’ Guild of America.If you are submitting as a director in film, television, and streaming you must present evidence of one of the following acknowledgements:Validation that your work has been showcased in a minimum of five film festivals, web festivals, or curated exhibitions, with at least one of them being outside of Minnesota. National or international airing, broadcasting, or distribution (excluding online self-distribution platforms such as YouTube). Attainment of a minimum of one national accolade (e.g., Spirit Award, Webby, Emmy, Third Coast award, etc.).If you are submitting as a podcast or radio artist you must present evidence of one of the following acknowledgements:Validation that your work has been showcased in a minimum of five competitions or curated exhibitions, with at least one of them being outside of Minnesota. National or international airing, broadcasting, or distribution (excluding online self-distribution platforms such as YouTube). Attainment of a minimum of one national accolade (e.g., Spirit Award, Webby, Emmy, Third Coast award, etc.).If you are submitting as a web, computer, video, and interactive game artist you must present evidence of one of the following acknowledgements:Acknowledgement from a national or international organization, such as the Independent Games Festival. This recognition may take the form of a competition win, festival selection, award, or producer option.If you are submitting as a creative artist specializing in emerging forms of media:Please reach out to the program administrator and provide details about your specific practice to facilitate the determination of verifying materials.

Ineligibility

Applicants cannot be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at an institution of higher learning during the fellowship year, and the fellowships funds may not be used to support work associated with a degree program. However, fellowships may be used to support professional study.