[McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org)

May 2026 (full application deadline, third Friday in May, 5:00 PM)

Two awards of $25,000 each; one-year fellowship; unrestricted funds for midcareer ceramic artists in Minnesota.

Supports outstanding midcareer ceramic artists in Minnesota with significant funding, recognition, and opportunities for professional and artistic growth.

--- ## Description The McKnight Fellowship for Ceramic Artists is designed to recognize and support outstanding midcareer ceramic artists living and working in Minnesota. The fellowship provides substantial, unrestricted funding to enable recipients to experiment, collaborate, and advance their professional practice. In addition to financial support, fellows participate in workshops, are featured in a group exhibition and catalogue, and gain statewide recognition. The program is administered by the Northern Clay Center and is part of the McKnight Foundation’s longstanding commitment to nurturing Minnesota’s vibrant arts community. --- ## Due Dates - May 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline (third Friday in May), applications must be received by 5:00 PM. *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Two fellowships of $25,000 each are awarded annually. - Funds are unrestricted and may be used for experimentation, new techniques, materials, equipment, collaboration, education, exhibition, or travel. - Fellowship recipients will deliver a workshop and be featured in a catalogue and group exhibition at the Northern Clay Center, with the exhibition traveling to additional sites in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must: - Have or maintain Minnesota residency for at least one year prior to application and for the duration of the fellowship year. - Be midcareer ceramic artists with a body of work demonstrating sustained accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence. - Not have received a McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship in any discipline within the last five years. - Apply to only one McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship in any discipline per year. - Not be staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or fellowship administrative partners. - Not be enrolled full-time in an academic program. - Demonstrate ongoing artistic growth since any previous McKnight Fellowship. - No college degree or formal academic training is required. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online or in hard copy to the Northern Clay Center. - Required materials: - Artist statement (max 2 pages, PDF) - Resume (max 5 pages, PDF) - Image list (PDF: name, date, medium, dimensions) - 10 digital images of completed work (jpg/png, 1500 px shortest side, 300 ppi, no names on images) - 1–3 physical work samples (up to 30 linear inches) OR a second set of 10 images of 1–3 works - References: names and contact information for three individuals - No application fee. - Applications are reviewed by a three-member panel based on artistic excellence and professional achievement. - Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. - Notification of results occurs by mid-summer. --- ## Additional Information - Fellows are required to present a workshop and participate in an exhibition and catalogue. - The program is open to artists working in any ceramic methodology, including functional, sculptural, or relational. - The fellowship is part of a broader McKnight Foundation initiative supporting Minnesota artists across multiple disciplines. --- ## External Links - [Program & Application Details (Northern Clay Center)](https://northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/grants-for-artists/mcknight-fellowships/) - [McKnight Artist Fellowships Overview](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/arts/the-mcknight-artist-fellowships/) - [Funder Home Page](https://www.mcknight.org) - [Contact McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | Website | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Studio Program Coordinator | [anastasiaspeer@northernclaycenter.org](mailto:anastasiaspeer@northernclaycenter.org) | 612-339-8007 | [Northern Clay Center](https://northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/grants-for-artists/mcknight-fellowships/) | | McKnight Foundation | | +1 612-333-4220 | [Contact Page](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) |

McKnight Fellowship for Ceramic Artists

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