A rare and prestigious opportunity has opened for creative minds worldwide. The MacDowell Fully Funded Fellowship 2026 is now inviting applications from artists across disciplines who want uninterrupted time, space, and financial support to produce meaningful work in a world-renowned creative residency. Each year, MacDowell selects around 300 artists based solely on artistic excellence, offering them a transformative residency experience designed to fuel creativity and professional growth.
This fellowship is more than just a residency. It is a career-shaping experience that gives artists the freedom to focus fully on their craft, surrounded by a vibrant community of creators from around the world.
What this opportunity is all about?
The MacDowell Fellowship is an internationally respected artist residency that provides dedicated time and space for artists to work on significant creative projects. Fellows live and work on MacDowell’s inspiring campus, where the environment is intentionally structured to encourage deep focus, experimentation, and productivity.
Artists who attend often describe the residency as a turning point in their careers. With minimal distractions and maximum creative freedom, fellows can develop new work, complete major projects, and collaborate with other talented creators.
Selection is highly competitive and based entirely on artistic merit. Panels review each applicant’s body of work, professional achievements, and proposed project to determine who will benefit most from the residency and contribute meaningfully to the artistic community.
What the fellowship is offering?
This is a fully funded creative residency designed to remove financial and logistical barriers so artists can concentrate fully on their work.
This scholarship comes with following benefits for 2026:
- No residency or participation fees
- Dedicated private studio space for focused work
- Residency alongside a global community of artists
- Need-based stipends to support living costs
- Travel reimbursement grants for selected fellows
- A prestigious platform that strengthens an artist’s global profile
The fellowship supports artists by giving them uninterrupted time to create, reflect, and produce work that may define the next stage of their careers.
Who this fellowship is for?
The MacDowell Fellowship welcomes applications from artists of all nationalities and backgrounds. The program is inclusive and open to both emerging and established creators who demonstrate strong artistic excellence and a compelling project proposal.
Eligible disciplines include:
- Architecture
- Film and video
- Interdisciplinary arts
- Literature
- Music composition
- Theatre
- Visual arts
Applicants are evaluated based on:
- Professional achievements and prior body of work
- Quality of current work samples
- A clear and compelling project proposal for the residency
Artists whose projects fall outside traditional categories may still apply, as the program encourages diverse and innovative creative practices.
Apply: https://www.macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship
When to apply?
Applications are currently open for the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 residency cycle. The last date to apply for the MacDowell Fully Funded Fellowship for residencies scheduled between September 1, 2026 and February 28, 2027 is February 10, 2026.
Applications for the Spring and Summer 2027 residency cycle will open on August 15, 2026, and the deadline to apply for this second cycle is September 10, 2026.