Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts
The Southern Prize and State Fellowships honor outstanding visual artists from nine Southern states with awards, a touring exhibition, and residencies to elevate and showcase their work.
Funder: South Arts
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (application close) | December 2026 (fee-waiver request) | December 2026 (full application) | March 2027 (fee-waiver request, next cycle) | March 2027 (full application, next cycle)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 State Fellowships (9 total); $25,000 Southern Prize; $10,000 Finalist Prize; all are unrestricted; plus residency and exhibition
Summary: Recognizes and supports outstanding visual artists in nine Southern states through awards, a touring exhibition, and residencies.
Key Information: Forecasted dates—confirm on program site; $25 application fee (waivers available); mandatory exhibition participation and ceremony attendance.
Description
This program honors exceptional visual artists in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Through a competitive, juried process, one State Fellow from each eligible state is awarded $5,000 and participates in a regional touring exhibition. State Fellows then compete for the Southern Prize ($25,000) and a Finalist Prize ($10,000), with both top awardees also receiving a two-week artist residency. The program aims to elevate Southern visual artists, showcase their work, and foster professional growth and visibility across the region.
