Oak Spring Fellowship for Distinction in Fine Crafts and Design

In 2027, Oak Spring will award its inaugural Fine Crafts and Design Fellowship to an early-career craftsperson or designer whose work demonstrates exceptional skill, artistic vision, and meaningful engagement with the natural world. This fellowship celebrates the intersection where form meets function, while honoring the aesthetics, material integrity, and craftsmanship at the heart of fine craft and design. The fellowship is intent- and inspiration-focused, rather than outcome-focused, meaning that Oak Spring seeks artists whose work is consistent with the objectives of the fellowship, without an expectation that they complete a prescribed project during their stay.

Oak Spring welcomes applicants working in a range of materials-based practices, including but not limited to:

• Fiber and textiles (natural dyes, weaving, felting, embroidery, quilting)
• Wearable design (e.g., shoe design, hat making, crafted wearables)
• Metalworking
• Jewelry
• Woodworking
• Furniture design
• Basketry
• Glass
• Ceramics
• Decorative arts
• Paper and book arts

The selected Fellow will receive a $10,000 grant and a 2–5 week residency at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in northern Virginia. The residency is intended to support time for studio practice, research, and reflection in a setting rich in inspiring natural beauty and vibrant cultural history.

The Fellow will reside alongside other interdisciplinary residents and fellows, with opportunities to share meals, explore Oak Spring’s gardens and collections, and engage with staff and peers across disciplines. These interactions enrich the residency experience and foster dialogue among artists, ecologists, scholars, and cultural practitioners. Fellows are also invited, but not required, to share their work in an informal presentation at the conclusion of their stay.

Requirements

This fellowship is open to early-career artists and designers working in the fields of fine craft, applied design, or interdisciplinary material practice. They must demonstrate exceptional skill, artistic promise, and a self-directed approach to creative practice. Ideal candidates will be excited by the opportunity to think deeply, experiment conceptually, or develop new ideas in a rural setting with limited maker facilities. They will also value the opportunity to interact with the Oak Spring community, and join a cohort of residents from varying disciplines, including researchers and scientists. International applicants are welcome, but the fellowship is conducted in English and international applicants are responsible for procuring the necessary visas as needed.

Early career artists and designers will have a demonstrated track record of exhibitions or commissions, but will have not yet received national or international recognition. Indicators used to assess eligibility include: educational background, group shows, juried exhibitions, prior residencies, grants or other indicators of esteem. Most important will be the portfolio of prior work samples.

Application Instructions

The application portal opens on February 14, 2026 and will close on May 31, 2026. Please note that there is one application for all of Oak Spring’s 2027 Residency and Fellowship programs, and you will be prompted to select which programs you would like to be considered for. You will be asked to submit the following specific items:

• A resume/curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages);
• 200–300 word statement describing how concepts of craft and fine design are reflected in your practice. You may wish to discuss your relationship to materials, your approach to technique and precision, or how you situate your work within a tradition of handmade, functional, or aesthetically driven design.
• 200–300 word statement describing your current body of work, creative projects, scholarship, or research.
• 200–300 word statement explaining why Oak Spring Garden Foundation and why now. Please consider how your work aligns with Oak Spring’s mission.
• 200 word or less statement describing a time when you were part of a community. What role did you serve in the community, and what aspects of being in community did you enjoy the most?
• 5–10 images, please include dimensions, year, medium, and title of each work sample.

Note: When applying to this Fellowship, you will be asked if you are interested in being considered for Oak Spring’s Interdisciplinary Residency, if you are not selected for the Fellowship. To learn more about the Interdisciplinary Residency, please visit www.osgf.org/residencies.