2026 Notes Toward Van Lier Fellowship at Judson Commons

The Notes Towards Van Lier Fellowship application at Judson Commons is now open and will close March 24. The Fellowship will support two NYC-based BIPOC artists, aged 18-30, in their artistic development and career growth with rigorous, artistic learning from 2026 to 2027.

The Fellowship supports:

• Artists of color who are interested in creating radical, experimental, moving and subverted avant-garde experimental work within any performance-based artistic discipline
• Rigorous, engaging artistic learning that encourages artists to critically consider how their work not only connects with audiences but also responds to, sustains, and builds pathways toward a more liberative, explorative, and uncorrupted future.

The Fellowship resources include:

• A 10-month Fellowship
• An unrestricted $11,000 cash stipend
• 15 hours monthly (150 hours total) of free space use at the Judson Church
• A $500 Professional Development stipend
• Participation in peer learning groups with current and former Black Aesthetics/{Notes Towards} artists
• Workshops in proposal development, grant writing, budget planning, and sustainability sessions led by arts administrators, professors, artists, and organizers actively involved in their respective fields.
• An opportunity to perform during a weekend show run, facilitate a public workshop, or lead a small series of activations at Judson Church, with access to lighting, tech, and limited yet mighty production support.
  
• A mentor selected by the Fellow to support key development areas through regular meetings and “Studio visits.” Mentors also receive a stipend.

Requirements

Applicant requirements are as follows:

• Identifies as Black, Indigenous or a person of color
• Is between the ages of 18-30
• NOT currently enrolled in a degree granting program
• Primary residence is in one of the five boroughs of New York City

Application Instructions

Submit your application by making a Zealous account and submitting the application here: https://zealous.co/notestowardsatjudsoncommons/opportunity/2026-notes-towards-van-lier-fellowship/

If you have any questions or concerns, please email apply@judsoncommons.org