To apply you must:

• be 18 years or older, and
• be a current legal resident of Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne county, and
• have resided in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne county for at least the two years prior to the application deadline (January 14, 2019–January 14, 2021), and
• intend to remain a resident of the tri-county area throughout the year-long fellowship period (July 2021–July 2022)

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 (July 2021 – July 2022), with the exception of ABD (all but dissertation) status Ph.D. candidates
• Individuals who received a Kresge Artist Fellowship within the last four years (2017-2020)
• Kresge Eminent Artist Award recipients
• Current Kresge Artist Fellowship panelists, staff members of Kresge Arts in Detroit and The Kresge Foundation, or immediate family members of any of these individuals.

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), and
• The potential to grow and advance in their artistic career, and
• The potential to reflect, enhance or impact communities within metropolitan Detroit.

• Early in their careers, and
• Are gaining momentum, and
• Who demonstrate exceptional potential through creative risk-taking and pushing the boundaries of their chosen art form.

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.