Emerging Creator fellowship
opens January 20, 2026
The Emerging Creator Fellowship seeks to empower developing artists living in Mecklenburg County to take bold steps in their creative growth, expand their skills, and build a stronger foundation for a sustainable artistic career. This Fellowship is aimed at creatives with less than 9 years of experience who are still exploring their practice and need to take creative risk and/or need to gain new skillsets and experience. This opportunity is not intended to complete previously started work.
Up to 50% of total budget can be used to purchase new supplies/materials for work created during the course of the Fellowship, but there still needs to be an emphasis on new trainings, workshops, apprenticeships, residencies, etc.
This Fellowship is meant to provide resources to expand your creative practice by engaging in new trainings and help take creative risk.
Grant Highlights
- Application opens: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Deadline: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Projects must take place: Between May 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027
- Grant amount: $10,000
- A maximum of 50% of the total budget, or $5,000, can be used for supplies or materials needed to complete/experiment with new work.
- At least 50% must be used for workshop/residency/apprenticeship fees and costs for travel/living accommodations.
- Fellowship focus: Applicants must submit proposals focused on new projects where the applicant is taking creative risks and/or gaining new skillsets/knowledge.
- Timeline (approximate – please know these dates may shift):
- Application deadline: February 22, 2026
- Review panel scoring deadline: March 15, 2026
- Email notifications to all applicants: March 27, 2026
- Grant funds distributed: End of April 2026
- One Application Per Cycle Policy: This grant follows a one-application-per-cycle policy. The new policy is designed to support a more equitable review process and ensure fair distribution of funding across our community. We encourage applicants to submit their strongest proposal each cycle. Previous recipients of an Emerging Creative Fellowship are ineligible to apply again to ensure these grant awards broaden their reach within our artist community.
How do I apply?
All applicants are required to apply through our online application system. The “Start Your Application” button will be linked when the application opens.
City of charlotte & Mecklenburg County Strategic Support
ASC’s Emerging Creator Fellowships are supported by Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, demonstrating the community’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. This public investment affirms that creativity and innovation are essential to the region’s cultural vitality. By supporting artists in the early stages of their careers, Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte help ensure a dynamic and inclusive creative future for all.
2025 Emerging Creators Fellowship Recipients
Carolina Quintana Ocampo, Illustrator
To explore different mediums in order to add depth in narrative to an upcoming short film, Mi Modo, and attend online courses, expos, and artist retreats in order to strengthen skill sets.
Emily Avery Sage, Sound Artist/Composer
To research experimental sound art methods and learn from established sound art communities by attending STRUERTRACKS sound Art Biennial and visiting sound art installations in Croatia and Denmark.
Dee Blackburn, Visual Artist
Collage & Culture: A Creative Journey in Oaxaca, To support growth as an artist by participating in an intensive 9 day collage workshop, spending time learning about the traditional art in Oaxaca.
Junior Gomez, Visual Artist/Muralist
To expand art through woodworking, mastering techniques in a professional facility to create innovative works that blend craftsmanship with natural elements.
Umayal Annamalai, Visual Artist
To support growth as an artist by participating in printmaking classes in Brasstown, NC, to printmaking techniques & expand creative practice.
2024 Emerging Creators Fellowship Recipients
Cynthia Clemens, Literature
To strengthen and expand my writing, networking and presentation skills at the Highlights’ “Whole Novel Workshop” (June 2024) and the SCBWI Midwest Conference (April 12-14, 2024).
Nicole Driscoll, Photographer
To attend a residency at the Walkaway House, to create a photography/video series exploring my father’s untapped potential during his time at North Adams College in 1986.
Jennifer Geyer, Dance
To support the development and mastery of Afro-Cuban folkloric dance forms by serving as an apprentice with Master instructor Marisol Blanco from Cuba residing in Miami in April 2024 through March 2025.
Melvin D. Nix, Visual Arts
To support my growth as an artist by participating in The North Carolina Academy of Art’s Part Time Drawing and Oil Painting Classes during the Spring & Summer Term, May-August 2024.
Joseph Quisol, Music
To establish Queens Collective as a songwriting and music production group to record new music with Charlotte artists.