November 2, 2020
Guidelines available
December 1, 2020
Online application opens
January 14, 2021
Application deadline
by 11:59PM EST
July 2021
Selected artists
announced
LITERARY ARTS
Arts Criticism, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction,
Graphic Novels, Playwriting, Poetry, Spoken Word, Zines, Interdisciplinary Work
VISUAL ARTS
Book Art, Ceramics, Collage, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Installation, Metalwork, New Media, Painting, Photography, Performance Art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Video Art, Interdisciplinary Work
Kresge Artist Fellowships are $25,000 awards, plus professional development support and the creation of a short film highlighting the artist’s work. Artists of all career stages are invited to apply. Fellowships recognize creative vision and commitment to excellence within 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. Meet our Artist Fellows.
Gilda Awards are $5,000 prizes for emerging artists, named in honor of artist, CCS professor, and 2009 Kresge Artist Fellow Gilda Snowden (1954–2014). Meet our Gilda Award recipients.
Fellowships and Gilda Awards are no strings attached awards, meaning artists may spend the money on any aspect of their creative practice or life (i.e. making new work, renting or purchasing studio space, travel, general living expenses, paying off debt, etc.).
In 2021 Kresge Arts in Detroit will award 20 Fellowships + 10 Gilda Awards
• Literary Arts: 10 Kresge Artist Fellowships and 4-6* Gilda Awards
• Visual Arts: 10 Kresge Artist Fellowships and 4-6* Gilda Awards
*Contingent upon number of applications received in each category
Note: Kresge Arts in Detroit anticipates Fellowship applications including Live Arts and Film & Music will be available in 2022.
To apply you must:
Who may not apply?:
Kresge Artist Fellowships recognize artists who have:
Applications are reviewed by two independent panels, one for Literary Arts and one for Visual Arts. Each panel consists of a mix of national panelists and local panelists. Panelists remain anonymous until the selected artists are announced in July 2021.
New panels of national and local artists and arts professionals are convened each year. Previous applicants are strongly encouraged to re-apply.