McKnight Fellowships in Playwriting
McKnight Fellowships in Playwriting support mid-career Minnesota playwrights with financial assistance, play development, and professional resources to advance their writing and artistic goals.
Funder: Playwrights' Center
Due Dates: January 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. CT (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $25,000 stipend, $2,500 for development and professional expenses, and $1,400 for travel; one year
Summary: Supports mid-career Minnesota playwrights with sustained bodies of work through financial support, play development, and professional resources.
Key Information: Applicants must have continuously resided in Minnesota since January 14, 2026 and remain residents throughout the fellowship.
Description
The McKnight Fellowships in Playwriting recognize mid-career playwrights living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained body of work, commitment to their craft, and a distinct artistic vision. Administered by Playwrights’ Center with support from the McKnight Foundation, the program supports individual artists’ continued writing and professional development rather than commissioning or producing a specific play.
The fellowship combines a stipend with funding for play development workshops, professional expenses, and travel. Fellows can access dramaturgical support, staff expertise, introductions, and other Playwrights’ Center resources to advance their artistic goals and build professional relationships within and beyond Minnesota. At the end of the fellowship term, fellows become Affiliated Writers of Playwrights’ Center.
