Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program

The Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program pairs immigrant artists from all disciplines with artist mentors who provide their mentees with one-on-one support.

NYFA’s Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program is the only known program of its kind in the United States, and has provided over 450 immigrants from 76 countries and regions with mentorship, community, and exposure for their work since it was founded in 2007. The New York program offered sessions in Visual/Multidisciplinary Art, Performing and Literary Arts, and Social Practice. This competitive program is provided free of charge to accepted applicants. In 2017, NYFA received a 2-year grant from Ford Foundation to support the expansion of the program to Detroit, MI; Newark, NJ; Oakland, CA; and San Antonio, TX. The program expanded to Denver, CO in 2021 with partnership of PlatteForum.

The Program fosters a community, providing opportunities to connect with other immigrant artists through group meetings, peer learning, and informal gatherings with program alumni. Through access to other artists, arts professionals, and organizations, the program offers immigrant artists the opportunity to focus on their creative practice, gain support and exposure for their work, while upholding their distinct identities. Many of the mentors are immigrant artists themselves, and understand the challenges of sustaining one’s art practice while navigating different cultural perspectives in the art world. Each cycle has proven to be an invaluable experience for mentees and mentors alike, and artists often remain connected well beyond the program.

Requirements

Eligibility:
* Visual and multidisciplinary artists working in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Video, Film, Photography, New Media, Multidisciplinary, Socially-Engaged Practices, Folk, and Traditional Art
* Live within the New York City Metropolitan area, within commuting distance of New York City
* Were born outside of the United States; those born in United States territories, i.e. Puerto Rico or Guam, The U.S. Virgin Islands, may apply*
* Have been pursuing a career as an artist within the range of 1-10 years in the United States**
* Are NOT currently enrolled in an arts graduate or undergraduate degree program***

Those born in the U.S. who spent their formative years in a different country may apply.
**This program often benefits those who are at more emerging stages in their careers. If you’ve been pursuing a career as an artist in the U.S. for more than 10 years and feel you would benefit from this program, please reach out to i.outreach@nyfa.org with some information on your immigrant experience.
**Students who will graduate before the program starts are welcome to apply.

Application Instructions

Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program for Visual and Multidisciplinary Artists 2023
This competitive program is open to visual artists from all disciplines (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Video, Film, Photography, New Media, Multidisciplinary, Socially-Engaged Practices, Folk, and Traditional Art) who live within the New York City Metropolitan area. It is provided free of charge to accepted participants. The program runs from December 2022 to April 2023, and the application deadline is Friday, October 7, 2022, 11:59 PM EDT.

View Submission Info Here