Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For more information about the Fellowship program click here.
To apply, click here.
General Fellowship FAQs
When does the Fellowship begin?
The Fellowship begins October 1 and runs to April 30. Fellows remain in residence at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, for the duration of the seven-month Fellowship.
Do you provide housing and a stipend?
Yes. Our apartments are historic but comfortable. For the 2023-2024 Fellowship year, and in line with our recently adopted Strategic Plan, there will be an increase in the stipend. Fellows will be awarded a $1250/monthly stipend plus a $1000 exit stipend at the end of the Fellowship to support relocation.
May I bring a spouse/partner?
Yes. In general, our accommodations are comfortable for one, tight for two.
Is there an age limit?
Applicants must be 18 years or older and must not participate in a degree program during the Fellowship year.
Are non-U.S. citizens and residents of countries other than the U.S. welcome to apply for Fellowships?
Yes. We can prepare a letter for you acknowledging your acceptance as a Fellow in residence beginning October 1. However, we are unable to provide VISA legal counsel. Should you be accepted, please note that a social security number (SSN) or individual tax identification number (ITIN) is required. We will request that paperwork prior to your arrival.
If accepted, may I arrive early with my things?
No. All Fellows arrive on October 1. The Work Center cannot accommodate early arrival due to other programs in session.
No. All Fellows arrive on October 1. The Work Center cannot accommodate early arrival due to other programs in session.
When will I find out if I’m accepted?
You will receive a response in early May.
May I bring a pet? I want to bring my dog/cat/hamster/iguana/etc.
With the exception of emotional support animals and licensed service animals (as defined by the ADA, or as otherwise required by the ADA), pets are not permitted at FAWC. For more information on licensed service animals, visit: https://www.ada.gov/service_
For more information on licensed service animals, visit the ADA online here.
My spouse/partner is a writer/artist and wants studio space. Can you provide it?
No. We cannot currently accommodate a partner workspace.
Is parking available?
Parking spaces in the Work Center’s lot are ample but not unlimited. Therefore, if there are more Fellows with cars than there are available spots, we will use a parking lottery system. There is ample street parking nearby both for Fellows who do not win the parking lottery and for spouses/partners.
Do I need a car?
No. We are located in the middle of Provincetown, near all the amenities a small town can provide. A grocery store and pharmacy are within walking distance. The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority provides local daily bus service on the Outer Cape and there is a local taxi service. A car can enhance your experience if you are used to having one. A bike is recommended. There are a few communal bikes available.
So what’s in the housing?
The apartments are modestly furnished. Each unit has a private bathroom and a kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and basic kitchenware such as coffeemaker, pots/pans, dishes, and silverware. All units have a full-size bed, dining table with chairs, and sofa or soft furnishings. Fellows are asked to provide their own pillows and linens. Upon acceptance, FAWC can share a list of the apartment contents.
Where are you located?
The Fine Arts Work Center is located at 24 Pearl Street, Provincetown, MA, 02657, on the outermost tip of lovely Cape Cod.
Is there an application fee?
Yes. For the first time, the Fine Arts Work Center is implementing three tiers of application pricing in an effort to increase access to the process. Both the Visual Arts and Writing application fee is $40 from November 2 to November 15 at 11:59 am. The application fee is $55 from November 15 at 12:00 pm to December 1 at 11:59 am. The application fee is $65 from December 1 at 12:00 pm until the close of the application period. Both the Visual Arts and Writing application fees are payable with a credit or debit card when you submit your application on SlideRoom.
Individual application fees directly support Fellowship expenses, including Fellows stipends, the maintenance of artist live-work space, and overall administrative support.
Visual Arts Application FAQs
When is the deadline?
The application opens on November 2 and closes on February 1.
How many digital images can I submit in my application? Do you consider other application formats, like slides?
Applicants can submit up to 10 images of work or 5 minutes of video through SlideRoom. Applicants may submit a combination of images/video using the following equation: 1 image = 30 seconds of video. For example, 6 images and 2 minutes of video. We accept digital submissions only.
How are Visual Arts Fellows chosen?
The selection process consists of two rounds. In the first round, the Visual Arts Committee members review all submissions online to reduce the applicant pool to 60%. Then the Committee members meet in person to select about 50 finalists. For the second and final round, the finalists will have an option to submit up to 5 additional new images or 2 minutes of new videos in SlideRoom. This is not a requirement. Three outside jurors consisting of established artists participate in the final round. The three jurors will select eight first-year Fellows with six alternates and two second-year Fellows with four alternates.
How big are the studios?
Approximately 400 sq ft.
What must be included in my application?
Most importantly, work samples, then a list of artistic/professional experience or resume and a simple questionnaire. Our application does not require artist statements or recommendations.
How do you decide who is an “emerging artist?” What if I have exhibited my work? Am I eligible?
Our current definition is fairly open: we only disqualify applicants who have had high profile museum exhibitions/biennials, are tenure track professors, or who have already received awards and accolades that are specifically for mid-career artists.
I don’t have an MFA. Am I eligible?
Yes.
Are there other eligibility guidelines?
The Fine Arts Work Center actively seeks applicants from all backgrounds and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, disability, HIV status, or veteran status.
Collaborative teams may apply under one application and if selected, only one Fellowship will be awarded. Applicants who apply as individual artists, as well as part of a collaborative team, may do so if these two bodies of work are completely different and distinctive.
Artists must be in residence during their Fellowship with few absences, not exceeding more than 14 consecutive days or a total of more than 30 days during the 7-month Fellowship. Please consider any personal or professional commitments you have made or anticipate before applying.
Writing Application FAQs
Do I need a letter of recommendation?
No.
Do I list my name on my writing sample?
No. Your name must not appear anywhere in the writing sample, nor on the cover page. Likewise, do not list publications or awards anywhere in the sample.
Will you accept a memoir and/or nonfiction writing sample for the application?
Each year, we award five fellowships in poetry and five fellowships in fiction. On the application, you must check either the “Poetry” box or the “Fiction” box to identify your writing sample; then the writing sample goes to our poetry jury or our fiction jury. In the past, some applicants have chosen to submit memoir/nonfiction writing samples to the fiction jury; however, keep in mind that the manuscript will be judged as a work of fiction, against a group of fiction manuscripts.
What if my writing falls between the categories of fiction and poetry?
Those whose works fall between these two categories or employ both may also apply; however, all applicants must check either the “Poetry” box or the “Fiction” box on the application form, and the writing sample will be judged by the respective jury you choose, among writing samples in that particular genre.
You may also apply in both genres. However, writers applying in more than one genre must submit separate applications, including a non-refundable processing fee for each genre.
What if I’m working in a language other than English?
Writers working in a language other than English will be judged only on their own English translations of their own work, i.e., as writers of English.
When is the deadline?
The application opens on November 2 and closes on December 15.
I’ve only published one book. May I apply?
Writers who have published (or are contracted to publish) a full-length book of creative work in any genre are not eligible. The Committee should be notified of any prior book contracts as well as those received throughout the application review period.
How are Writing Fellows chosen?
Please click here to learn about our process.
I was rejected last year. May I apply again?
Yes. If you have applied to the Work Center before, please include new work in your writing sample.
The Fine Arts Work Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/
