McKnight Community-Engaged Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships

Staff

Mike Hoyt

Guidelines

The intent of the McKnight Artist and Culture Fellowship Program is to recognize and support artists and culture bearers who are beyond emerging and have sustained experience in their area of practice. Fellows demonstrate accomplishment, commitment, and excellence that contributes to their field and that impacts and benefits people in Minnesota.

Updated guidelines will be available in January, 2026.

Artists who are eligible for these fellowships: 

MN Residency: Applicants must have or maintain MN residency for at least one year prior to application (i.e. since March 21, 2024) and for the duration of the fellowship year.
Exclusive Application: Applicant may only apply to ONE McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship discipline within the 2025 program year. For a list of all McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships visit: (Link is now this website, not the old website)
Applicants are beyond emerging and have sustained experience: Are mid-career with a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence. Have at least eight (8) years of professional experience implementing community-engaged art. Community-engaged projects, public exhibitions, or initiatives undertaken as part of a degree-seeking program at an institution of higher learning will not be considered, i.e. senior or thesis exhibitions, juried student shows, etc. 
No Full-Time Student Status: Applicants may not be enrolled full-time in any academic program.
No Conflict of Interest: Applicants may not be staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or Pillsbury House + Theatre/Pillsbury United Communities. For the purposes of McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships, program partner faculty and independent contractors are not considered staff and may apply, even to a Fellowship from an organization for which they work. 
Prior Recipients: Wait 5 Years and New Body of Work: Anyone who received a fellowship in any discipline in or before 2019 is now eligible to apply and must demonstrate growth in creative practice and a new body of work. 
Program Participation: Be willing to participate in all aspects of the fellowship program, including some meetings, and scheduled dialogue with national experts.
*The Fellowship Program Director screens applicants to ensure eligibility.