2027 Aminah Robinson Fellowship (ONLY local/Franklin County OH applicants) - Greater Columbus Arts Council

Overview

The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) offers a 90-day artist fellowship and unrestricted $15,000 award for a professional African American visual artist residing in Franklin County. The fellowship provides time and monetary support to focus on art making, with daily access to Aminah Robinson's home studio. Fellows must participate in one community outreach opportunity as directed by CMA.

Key Dates

• Application Opens: August 3, 2026
• Application Due: September 2, 2026 by 5 p.m. EST
• Applicants Notified: October 9, 2026
• Fellowship Begins: January 1, 2027
• Fellowship Ends: March 31, 2027
• Final Report Due: May 1, 2027

Eligibility

• Identify as African American
• Be a working visual artist age 18 and older with a portfolio, body of work, published works, or performance history
• Reside in Franklin County for at least one year prior to application
• Agree to remain a resident of central Ohio for one year after the award date
• Must remain a Franklin County resident during the entire fellowship period
• Not enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student
• Collaborative applications are NOT accepted; each artist must apply individually
• Applicants from bordering counties outside Franklin County are no longer eligible

Media

• Painting
• 3D and 2D art
• Photography
• Wood carving
• Sculpture
• Fiber (with focus on found objects, natural and synthetic materials)
• Video, film, and digital installations are NOT eligible

Application Requirements

• Why are you interested in the Aminah Robinson Fellowship?
• What themes or questions drive and inspire your work?
• Describe the impact you hope your work has on audiences.
• If you had unlimited time and resources, what would you work on and why?

Supplemental Materials

• Artistic bio or resume (PDF only)
• 3-5 work samples, including title, size, date, and medium
• Link to website, if applicable

Selection Process

Applicants are reviewed by a jury including representatives from communities where Aminah lived, Columbus Museum of Art staff, GCAC, and renowned Ohio artists, curators, and arts educators familiar with Aminah's work. The jury evaluates artistic excellence and technical proficiency, innovative use of medium, storytelling, connection to cultural traditions and heritage, and reflection of Aminah Robinson's aesthetic and spirit. Following consensus selection, applicants are notified by email.

Award & Fellowship Terms

The fellowship includes a $15,000 unrestricted award and daily access to Aminah Robinson's home studio. A grant agreement will specify terms of the residency and assuring respectful use of the space. The awardee must actively create artwork during the 90 days and will have the opportunity for a public presentation and/or community outreach activity coordinated with CMA. The artist may use the space for personal art making only. No changes to terms or timeline are permitted without prior written approval from GCAC and CMA. All awardees must publicly acknowledge the award and demonstrate the public value of the arts.

Other Requirements

An artist may be selected for the Aminah Fellowship only once. If an artist applies and is not selected, they may apply again the following year.