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Application Information

• 2025 Categories

  Literary Arts
  Includes Arts Criticism, Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Playwriting, Poetry, Spoken Word, Zines, and Interdisciplinary Work

   

  Visual Arts
  Includes Book Art, Ceramics, Collage, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Installation, Metalwork, New Media, Painting, Photography, Performance Art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Video Art, and Interdisciplinary Work

• About the Awards

  Kresge Artist Fellowships are $50,000 awards (up from $40,000) for emerging and established metro Detroit artists. Each fellowship award includes career support and the creation of a short film showing the artist’s work.

  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.

  Gilda Awards are $5,000 prizes for emerging artists, named in honor of artist, College for Creative Studies professor, and 2009 Kresge Artist Fellow Gilda Snowden (1954–2014).

  Fellowships and Gilda Awards are awarded with no strings attached, which means that artists may spend the money in whatever way makes sense for, and benefits, their creative practice or life (i.e., making new work, renting or purchasing studio space, travel, general living expenses, paying off debt, and so on).

  Meet the Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award Recipients

• Who can apply?

  You are eligible to apply if you:

  • Are 18 years or older, and
  • Are 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 16, 2023–January 16, 2025), and
  • Intend to remain a resident of the tri-county area throughout the year-long fellowship period (July 2025–July 2026).

   

  You are ineligible to apply if you:

  • Are a student working toward any degree at the time of application or are planning to begin a degree-granting program during the fellowship year (July 2025–July 2026). Exception: Ph.D. candidates who are ABD (all but dissertation) can apply.
  • Are a Kresge Eminent Artist Award recipient
  • Are a current Kresge Artist Fellowship panelist, staff member of Kresge Arts in Detroit or The Kresge Foundation, or immediate family member of any of these individuals

   

  Note: This year, there is no waiting period for previous Kresge Artist Fellows to apply.

   

  Eligibility confirmation: If your application advances to the final round of consideration for an award, you will be required to submit materials to document your legal residency in the tri-county area for the last two years.

   

• What are the selection criteria?

  Kresge Artist Fellowships recognize artists who demonstrate:

  • Artistic achievement and high quality work (this is the most important factor 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.

  Gilda Awards recognize artists who are:

  • Early in their careers, and
  • Are gaining momentum, and
  • Who demonstrate exceptional potential by taking creative risks and pushing the boundaries of their chosen art form.
• Review Process

  All applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of national and local artists and arts professionals. Panelists will remain anonymous until the Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients are announced in the summer of 2025.

  New panels are convened each year to review applications. Previous applicants are strongly encouraged to re-apply.

  Past Panelists

• Info Sessions

  While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend our virtual info sessions, which are designed to support artists in creating their most authentic and compelling Kresge Artist Fellowship application.

   

  Application information session (virtual)
  Wednesday, December 11, 2024
  5:30–6:30 PM
  Register

  Kresge Arts in Detroit staff will provide an overview of the 2025 guidelines and walk through a sample application in Slideroom, sharing best practices for applicants. This Zoom webinar session will be recorded.

   

  Application question & answers session (virtual)
  Thursday, January 9, 2025
  5:30–6:30 PM
  Register

  Kresge Arts in Detroit staff will address your specific, lingering questions about the application before the deadline. This session will not be recorded.

• FAQ + Resources

  Frequently Asked Questions
  Do you have a question not addressed on this page? Browse our frequently asked questions!

   

  Application Guidelines
  2025 Guidelines
  2025 Plain Text Guidelines

   

  Computer and Internet Access
  Many local libraries provide free internet and computer access. Search your local Michigan public library at publiclibraries.com

   

  Translation Services
  Fellowship applications may only be submitted in English. For translation services, visit Welcome Mat Detroit, a local immigrant integration network, to search their translation service database, or visit Hamtramck-based Bromberg & Associates.

   

  Artist Statements and Resumes Worksheet
  Download worksheet

   

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