Visiting Fellow in the Creative Arts

Program Announcement

The Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life, in collaboration with the Literary Arts Bridge, invites applications for the Visiting Fellow in the Creative Arts for Winter and Spring of 2027.

This fellowship supports a mid-career writer - working in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or hybrid forms - whose work engages Black intellectual, cultural, and creative life. The fellowship is designed to provide sustained time, space, and resources for the completion or advancement of a major creative project within an intellectually vibrant community.

This is a highly selective, residency-based award intended for established writers with a demonstrated record of publication and impact.

Fellowship Overview

The Visiting Fellow will be in residence from January 1 - June 30, 2027. During this period, the fellow will pursue an independent creative project while participating in the intellectual and public life of the Institute and the Literary Arts Bridge.

The fellowship emphasizes both creative production and community engagement, fostering meaningful dialogue between the fellow, students, and broader audiences.

Residency & Expectations

The Visiting Fellow is expected to:

• Maintain full-time residency for the duration of the fellowship (January 1 - June 30, 2027).
• Develop a major creative project, such as a manuscript, book-length work, or equivalent.
• Participate in the Black Literature / Black Life Speaker Series, including presenting their work publicly.
• Engage with students and the campus community through informal discussions, workshops, or conversations about craft, process, and inspiration.
• Contribute to programming organized by the Literary Arts Bridge.

While the fellow will not hold a formal teaching appointment, they will play an active role in mentoring and intellectual exchange.

Fellowship Support

The fellowship provides:

• $3,500 monthly stipend for six months ($21,000 total, taxable)
• Fully provided housing for the duration of the residency (Fellows are responsible for utility costs)
• Up to $3,000 in additional project support, which may be used for research travel, conferences, materials, exhibitions or public programming

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Strength and originality of the proposed project.
• Demonstrated achievement, as evidenced by prior publication.
• Alignment with the mission of the Institute and Literary Arts Bridge.
• Potential for meaningful engagement with the community during the residency.