What is the Application Deadline?

    The 2025/26 Deadline for applications will be January 15th 2025 at 11.59pm 

    How to Apply

    Only complete fellowship applications submitted by the January 15, 2025 - 11.59pm deadline will be reviewed by the fellowship committee. Candidates must submit the following materials as one combined PDF that includes this application form and: 

    • Fellowship Application Form (Downloaded from this site)
    • Short curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than 3 pages
    • Letter of support from proposed community partner
    • No more than 20 images of your previous work related to this application

    Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

    If you have any questions concerning the application or experience any issues with submitting the application, please do reach out to our team via community@colum.edu 

    Applications should be sent via email or https://wetransfer.com/ to community@colum.edu 

    Instructions on how to make a combined PDF can be found here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/how-to/merge-combine-pdf-files-online.html

    Eligibility

    • Talented individuals who have completed an MFA in photography or in another related creative field or have a BA backed up with 5 years of post degree creative practice (equivalent experience) and who are committed to active immersion with a Chicago community partner/organization and Columbia College Chicago are encouraged to apply.
    • Candidates must exhibit a strong interest in working in an immersive environment with a Chicago partner/community organization while developing a creative project for the purpose of elevating awareness of social, economic and cultural issues. 
    • Candidates must exhibit a strong interest in engaging with the Columbia College Chicago Department of Photography faculty and students through workshops, lectures or other on-campus opportunities.
    • Candidates must demonstrate the ability to meet the time commitment agreed upon for the duration of the fellowship, and the ability to engage and adapt to a schedule that changes and evolves based on opportunities for immersion at Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago community organization they are collaborating. 
    • Candidates must not be enrolled in full time or part time study during the fellowship.
    • Candidates must be committed to be in Chicago or travel to and from Chicago for the duration of the fellowship, September - May.

    Review Criteria and Selection Process

    The successful candidate will demonstrate:

    • Artistic excellence and artistic merit through an outstanding portfolio of photography that engages beyond the traditional representations of photography with social, economic, and cultural issues aligning with Chicago proposed community partner's areas of interest. 
    • The ability to work collaboratively in a community-based setting.
    • The ability to communicate effectively on a regular basis with the Columbia faculty, students, and community partner.
    • The potential to make a significant artistic and cultural impact both within Columbia College Chicago and the community partner/organization and in the larger community of Chicago.

    Notification Process

    Finalists will be notified by the Fellowship Administrator to arrange an interview, with a final decision announced shortly thereafter.

    Fellowship Award

    The fellowship is funded in the following way:

    • $20,000 artist stipend 
    • $2,000 travel stipend paid at the beginning of the fellowship
    • $2,000 toward exhibition production 
    • Access to Columbia College Chicago Photography Department facilities and a workspace

    What else is there to know?

    Q: What is the expected time commitment of the fellow to the fellowship?

    A: Though the time spent may vary from week to week, the fellow is expected to spend an average total of 20 hours per week engaged in the work of the fellowship. The fellow will divide their time evenly between the Chicago community partner and Columbia, engaging with participants and practitioners from both organizations. 

    Q: Do I need to be a Columbia College Chicago alum to apply?

    A: No, applicants do not need to be alumni of Columbia College Chicago. Alumni of any MFA program or with demonstrable equivalent experience may apply.

    Q: Is the fellowship open to international applicants?

    A: Yes, this fellowship is open to international applicants. If an international applicant is awarded the fellowship, then they are responsible for arranging their own visas, international and domestic transportation, and local accommodations in Chicago.

    Q: Will Columbia provide any further funds other than the Fellowship Award?

    A: No additional funds beyond the stated Fellowship Award are available if the fellow’s costs exceed the awarded total.

    Q: Can the fellow have a full-time or part-time job during the fellowship?

    A: Although possible, the time commitment of the Fellowship may make it difficult to balance the time required of the fellow's employment commitments. The fellow is expected to make the fellowship their primary focus and dedicate an average of 20 hours per week to creating their work and engaging at the Chicago community organization and Columbia College Chicago.   

    Q: Can an applicant continue with their graduate studies during the fellowship?

    A: No, the fellow must have completed their MFA by the start date of the fellowship and cannot be enrolled in any full-time or part-time academic program for the duration of the fellowship. A fellow may be chosen who has not completed an MFA if they can  demonstrate in their application an equivalent level of experience.

    Q: Can an applicant apply if they haven't obtained a graduate degree?

    A: Yes, fellow may be chosen who has not completed an MFA if they can demonstrate in their application an equivalent level of experience. 

    Q: Can the fellowship and stipend be used to complete an applicant’s existing or ongoing photography project?

    A: Yes & No. This is not a completion grant. The fellow must create a new project, original work as part of this fellowship. However, that new project/original work may be an extension of a previous body around social issues. 

    Q: What disciplines can the applicant’s practice be in?

    A: The applicant can practice in any discipline but must be able to demonstrate through the application a photographic based and informed artistic practice.

    Q: Do I have to arrange a partnership with a community organization and get a letter of support?

    A. For the 2025/26 Fellowship the artist can self nominate a community partner to work with in Chicago and provide a letter of support from that partner.