Native Arts Fellowship

Overview

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. In addition to accessing collections, artists are offered professional development opportunities to engage and connect with other NMAI artist fellows and staff and receive training on best practices for conducting collections research. Additional professional development opportunities are offered in consultation with artist fellows.

Travel allowance is provided for the fellow’s roundtrip travel to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Fellows may also be provided an additional allowance for research-related travel and for supplies and materials.

Location and Term

The period of this fellowship is a maximum of 10 weeks between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026. This includes a six-week virtual period between September 1 and October 15 focused on professional development activities and orientation to NMAI staff and collections.

Virtual meetings and activities will be dedicated to building the skills and capacity of artists to conduct collections research and navigate future engagements with museums. This includes refining research projects and the research timeline in consultation with NMAI staff, training and orientation to the NMAI and its collections resources, connecting with other artist fellows, planning and preparing for any additional research opportunities at other Smithsonian or DC-area museums, and professional development on engagement opportunities with museums and cultural institutions.

The majority of NMAI collections are housed at the CRC in Suitland, Maryland. A Smithsonian employee shuttle is available to transport fellows to and from the National Mall and the CRC. Note that housing is not provided, but financial and logistical resources are offered to fellows to support their time residing in the DC area.

Artists will select two to four weeks to be in residence at the NMAI between October 15, 2024, and August 31, 2025, to pursue their collections research projects. Artists should be in residence for no less than one week at a time.

The majority of NMAI collections are housed at the CRC in Suitland, Maryland. A Smithsonian employee shuttle is available to transport fellows to and from the National Mall to the CRC. Note that housing is not provided, but financial and logistical resources are offered to artists to support their time residing in the DC area.

Candidates applying from outside the US are encouraged to contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator to learn more about unique considerations for international fellows and visa implications. Individuals are not able to use tourist status (B-1, B-2, WB, WT, ESTA, EVUS, etc.) for this fellowship. Individuals requiring J-1 visa sponsorship must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program or have a US bachelor’s degree or equivalent to be eligible for this program.

Stipend and Allowances

Artists will be offered up to $10,300 in financial support, plus a one-time roundtrip travel allowance. Financial support is provided in the form of stipends and allowances to support the artist’s research activities. Note that all stipends and allowances are subject to tax.

* Fellowship Stipend—a base stipend of up to $7,800 to cover living expenses such as lodging, food, and local transportation. Stipends will be prorated based on the length of the fellowship ($500 per week for virtual activities and $1,200 per week for onsite activities).
* Research Allowance—up to $2,500 for equipment, supplies, research-related travel costs, and other support required to conduct research. This may be used for any additional trips beyond the initial visit to the Smithsonian, or for artist supplies or materials needed onsite.
* Travel Allowance—a one-time roundtrip travel allowance for the artist’s initial travel to the Smithsonian. This allowance is based on geographic location and is disbursed in the stipend payment following the artist's travel to the Smithsonian.

Upon successful completion of the fellowship term, the artist is eligible to apply for additional funding to support a community-based project to bring the experience and information gained at the NMAI back to a community related to the artist’s research. The type of community can be broadly defined and encompass rural or reservation communities, urban communities, art or trade-based communities, etc. Artists are asked to submit a plan, timeline, and budget for their community-based project to access these funds. Artists must use these funds within six months of completing their fellowships.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* 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. 
* Applicants may be associated with a university or have an advanced degree, although this is not required.
* Fellows are expected to reside in the DC area between two to four weeks to conduct their onsite research activities.
* Note that any researcher requesting access to sacred, ceremonial, or culturally sensitive items must obtain and provide proof of permission from an authorized tribal official prior to access.