2026–2027 A.I.R. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

DEADLINE: November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

Info Session: TBA

Notification: April 2026


Established in 1993, the A.I.R. Fellowship Program for Emerging and Underrepresented Women and Non-Binary Artists has enabled more than 120 artists to realize their first solo exhibition in New York City with the support of the A.I.R. community. The Fellowship Program annually awards six local emerging artists with their first solo exhibition, professional development programming, curatorial support, and mentorship during a 12-month fellowship that runs September–August.

Intended to support artists in building sustainable and enriching artistic practices, the program provides participants with career-changing, lifelong resources and community in a space that encourages creative risk-taking and intergenerational dialogue. Central to the program are a series of professional development workshops on subjects such as grant writing and exhibition design, close collaboration with an A.I.R. artist mentor, and scheduled studio visits throughout the year, including one with a selection panelist.

Since 2009, A.I.R. has named one yearly A.I.R. Fellowship seat in memory of the artist, activist, writer, and feminist Emma Bee Bernstein (1985–2008). In recognition of Emma’s significant contributions as a young artist, the youngest A.I.R. Fellowship recipient receives the honor of holding the Emma Bee Bernstein Fellowship seat. Since 2024, A.I.R. has annually named one Louise H. McCagg Fellow in honor of artist, philanthropist, feminist, and mother Louise H. McCagg (1936–2020).

The A.I.R. Fellowship Program is made possible by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, as well as the generous support of The Arison Arts Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Bernheim Foundation, The Teiger Foundation, Materials for the Arts, and individual donors to the Emma Bee Bernstein Fellowship and Louise H. McCagg Fellowship Funds.

Learn more about our current and past Fellows here.

 

Eligibility

  • A woman or non-binary visual artist working in any media

  • 18 years of age or older

  • A resident of New York City, adjoining counties, or the Hudson Valley (Putnam, Dutchess, and Ulster counties) from September 2026–August 2027

  • Have not had a solo exhibition at a permanent venue in NYC in the last 10 years

  • Not a student or enrolled in any degree-granting program at the time of the program (September 2026–August 2027)

  • Not participating in a comparable development, fellowship, or residency program at the time of the program (September 2026–August 2027)

  • Not currently a member, employee, or board member of A.I.R. Gallery, and have not previously had a solo show at A.I.R.

  • Not a Fellowship Program alum

 

Benefits

  • 4–5 Professional development workshops led by professionals in the field (Fall 2026)

  • A solo exhibition at A.I.R. Gallery (Spring/Summer 2027)

  • An artist-mentor at A.I.R. Gallery to work with throughout the program

  • One-on-one studio visit with one of the review panelists

  • Ongoing studio visits and support from A.I.R. staff

  • A stipend of $3,000

PLEASE NOTE: THIS APPLICATION IS AN ANONYMOUS REVIEW. None of your submitted materials may include your name (including the file name or body of images, statement, CV, or any other submitted files). If a submitted file contains or is titled with the artist’s name, the submission will be disqualified and the applicant will not be permitted to re-apply until the next Fellowship cycle.

Selection Process

The selection review process is completely anonymous. The review is conducted in three rounds by a three-person panel of outside curators, critics, and established artists. Artists are evaluated based on the quality of and commitment to their work, as well as their potential to significantly benefit from the Fellowship Program’s support. A final interview and selection is made by A.I.R. Members and Staff. Six artists will be awarded a fellowship.

Nova Benway is Executive Director of Triangle Arts Association, an artist residency founded in New York in 1982, which hosts year-round residencies for local and international artists and curators, and has expanded into a worldwide network of more than forty members. She was previously a curator at The Drawing Center in New York City, where she co-directed Open Sessions, a two-year residency/exhibition hybrid program organized with local, national, and international artists, supporting drawing practices in relation to film, architecture, sculpture, music, and other fields. An alumna of the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College, she also holds a B.A. from McGill University, Montreal.

Rachelle Dang (b. Honolulu, Hawai`i) is a Brooklyn-based artist and educator. Her exhibitions include The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT (2024-26); Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY (2024-25); Bates Museum of Art, Lewiston, ME (2024-25); Lighthouse Works, Fishers Island, NY (2023-24); A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2020); and Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, NY (2019-20). She has received awards from the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (2024), New York Foundation for the Arts (Artist Fellowship 2023), Puffin Foundation (2022), and Foundation for Contemporary Arts (2021). Dang received her BA from Wellesley College and her MFA from Hunter College, City University of New York. She teaches at Hunter College and Yale School of Art.

Jenée-Daria Strand is the Assistant Curator at Public Art Fund where, since 2022, she has worked with contemporary artists in realizing new commissions. Formerly, she was a Curatorial Associate at the Brooklyn Museum. She has curated independent projects for NADA Miami/TD Bank, ISCP, White Columns, amongst others, and has contributed written work to publications by the Studio Museum in Harlem, Brooklyn Museum, Lehmann Maupin, and more. Jenée holds an MA in Museum Studies from NYU and a BFA in Dance/Performance Studies from Florida State University. In 2024, she was an inaugural member of the Studio Museum’s curatorial fellowship, and in 2025 she joined the board of Future Leaders Institute Charter School, located in Harlem.

Application FAQ

DO I NEED TO BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN TO APPLY FOR THE A.I.R. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM?
No, but you must live in the greater New York City metropolitan area for the duration of the program. A.I.R. is unable to provide sponsorship to artists seeking a visa.

SHOULD I APPLY WITH MY PAST WORK OR SKETCHES FOR A NEW PROJECT I AM PLANNING TO DO WHILE AT A.I.R. ?
Your application should include examples of your strongest and most representative work created in the past three years. Please do not submit sketches or images of works-in-progress.

CAN I BE A STUDENT AT THE TIME OF THE APPLICATION IF I WILL GRADUATE BEFORE THE PROGRAM BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER?
Yes, as long as you will not still be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time the Fellowship starts (September 2026).

IF I HAD A SOLO SHOW AT A POP-UP GALLERY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS DOES THAT MAKE ME INELIGIBLE?
Only artists who have had a solo show at a permanent venue in New York City in the last 10 years are ineligible. Permanent venues include commercial galleries, non-profit exhibition spaces, museums, and universities. A solo show at a temporary/pop-up space, art fair, or non-art space is NOT disqualifying. A two-person or group show at a permanent venue is NOT disqualifying. If you have any questions regarding whether your exhibition history makes you ineligible, please email us.

CAN I SUBMIT MULTIPLE IMAGES OF THE SAME PROJECT WITHIN ONE IMAGE?
We do not recommend submitting composite images. However, if you choose to do so, you are allowed to submit a maximum of two views of a single project within the same image.

DO YOU ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM ARTIST TEAMS OR COLLABORATIVE GROUPS?
Yes, however, your exhibition must be collaborative as opposed to a group show. The joint application must demonstrate that you have a history of working together collaboratively. You must submit only one application and set of materials for all members, and these materials (including the resume) should reflect your past collaborative work rather than the work of each individual member. The stipend would be split among the collaborators.

I HAVE PLANS TO TRAVEL DURING THE FELLOWSHIP. CAN I STILL APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM?
We understand that 12 months is a long time, however, it is important that all Fellows are present and able to participate in-person in order to make the most of the Fellowship experience. A Fellow should plan to miss no more than two scheduled monthly events during the course of the program.

I ACCIDENTALLY UPLOADED THE WRONG FILE/MADE A MISTAKE ON MY APPLICATION. CAN I REPLACE IT WITH A CORRECTED ONE IF IT IS STILL BEFORE THE DEADLINE?
You can make changes and save your Submittable application up until you submit. Check over your work before submitting to make sure everything is correct. After that your application is final. Please do not contact A.I.R. regarding edits to your application.

IF MY APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE, WILL A.I.R. LET ME KNOW?
The applicant is responsible for reading and abiding by all guidelines for the A.I.R. Fellowship Program as well as the application instructions.

IF I AM ACCEPTED INTO THE A.I.R. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?
Community is one of the most vital and important aspects to a fulfilling experience at A.I.R. Gallery. The best way to participate in the Fellowship Program is to attend openings, gallery events, and engage with mentors and our community of artists.  The mandatory criteria to complete a successful Fellowship are: executing a solo exhibition, holding a group discussion during your exhibition, and participating in programmed professional development workshops.

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE I’M SUBMITTING A STRONG APPLICATION?
In an effort to help artists understand the Fellowship Program and learn tips for putting together a really great application, A.I.R. will host a FREE info session. Attendance is not mandatory, however we strongly encourage applicants to attend if possible. A video recording of the session will be made available to those unable to attend.

If you have a question not answered above, please email us!