Who Can Apply:

Local artists over 18 living within 10 miles* of DVAA during the program, not currently enrolled in another fellowship or degree-granting program, and able to articulate need (financial hardship, lack of experience, or other institutional barriers).

The Da Vinci Fellowship Program is designed to support historically underrepresented and underserved artists at any point in their careers. Underrepresented and underserved refers to communities or groups who have disproportionately been denied access and/or experienced insufficient and inadequate representation in the visual arts due to institutional discrimination. 

* We say within 10 miles of the gallery because the DVAA Fellows are expected to be active in-person participants within DVAA’s programs and events throughout their Fellowship year. If you live outside of this boundary line, but are frequently in the city, reach out to us to see if you’re eligible to apply.

Fellowship applicants must apply for ONE of three Da Vinci Fellowship Tracks:

New for 2024! - The Linda Dubin Garfield Track -

Named after DVAA’s former Board President, Linda Dubin Garfield, in honor of her lifelong commitment of using art as a medium towards bringing people together and building stronger communities. This fellowship track is awarded to a Philadelphia printmaker or collective. They will develop an exhibition using the medium of printmaking to utilize their Fellowship year and the exhibition space to present collaborative opportunities addressing issues people are facing in Philly and find space towards solutions. (Examples of issues could range anywhere from making our streets safer, to park clean ups, to fundraising for better school conditions, to food distribution for people facing financial scarcity, etc.) The purpose of this Fellowship track is to creatively work towards solutions and use institutional resources to benefit larger needs within our intersecting Philadelphia community.

The Michelle Angela Ortiz Track -

This fellowship provides an opportunity for one artist/curator exploring international identities and personal narratives to curate a show in the Da Vinci Art Alliance gallery space. Artists in this fellowship track are challenged to push their exhibitions beyond white box gallery spaces, engaging with local communities to examine, explore and challenge Euro-centric narratives to bring us closer together while uplifting artists of color. The Michelle Angela Ortiz Fellow will work alongside DVAA's Exhibitions and Programming Director to oversee, advise, and install the exhibition.

Named for Michelle Angela Ortiz and her 20 years of work using her art to represent people and communities whose histories are often lost or co-opted. This fellowship track is for a Philadelphia based, emerging artist/curator to develop an exhibition that explores and challenges who is in charge of the narrative and why?

The Kathryn Pannepacker Track -

This fellowship provides an opportunity for one emerging artist/curator to curate an exhibition exploring social, political, or cultural content that engages local communities in the Da Vinci Art Alliance gallery space. By spearheading the exhibition process including theme creation, artist management, and ultimate layout and presentation, the Kathryn Pannepacker Fellow is able to develop and enhance their skill set. The Kathryn Pannepacker Fellow will work alongside DVAA's Exhibitions and Programming Director to oversee, advise, and install the exhibition.

Named for textile/visual/community artist Kathryn Pannepacker who revitalized DVAA in 1997 and who continues to work deeply with local communities around criminal justice, homelessness, substance abuse and other mental/behavioral health challenges.

The Linda Lee Alter Track -

The Linda Lee Alter track provides an opportunity for one queer artist, centering those who have historically lived within the margins, giving them a space at and with DVAA to explore connection, transformation and liberation. The selected artist/curator Fellow will present an exhibition or curatorial project that explores LGBTQ+ narratives and experience of the world. Artists/curators working in all mediums are invited to celebrate Philadelphia’s broad diversity of sexual and gender minorities through thoughtful, provocative, and visionary visual arts presentations.

This Fellowship track is named for Philadelphia artist, collector, and philanthropist; Linda Lee Alter.

Selection Criteria

The selection of the Da Vinci Fellows is facilitated by DVAA’s Exhibition Committee and the Fellowship Director.

The Exhibition Committee will be selecting proposals based on the following criteria:

• Clarity of proposal and project objectives

• Ability to execute the proposed exhibition including background and skills to carry out the

  proposed project

• Quality of photo documentation and supplementary materials

• Community engagement plan (of local and DVAA communities)

• Demonstrated need
  

  After an initial review, final applicants will undergo an interview process with DVAA staff.
  

Application Materials

• [200-300 words] Artist or Collective biography and demonstration of need

• [300-500 words] Written exhibition statement that includes a thoughtful and considered

  exhibition concept and community engagement plan

• [200-400 words] Plan of action that includes selected/proposed artists for group

  exhibitions, install plans/ideas, and where assistance will be needed

• High-quality images, at 300dpi (can include installation shots, video documentation, and/or

  artwork images)

• Additional application materials (can include diagrams, installation plans, performance

  plans, etc.)

Submitting an Application

• Only digital applications will be accepted, submit through the buttons below

• Application fee: $5

• Deadline to apply: June 30th, 11:59 PM

• Applicant notification: Mid-August

Agreement:

By submitting to this call, the artist is agreeing to allowing DVAA to use images of the artwork on its website and social media, if awarded a fellowship position. Artist retains full copyright of the work. Images will not be used by DVAA aside from the DVAA website, press releases, and social media posts.

If you have questions about the Da Vinci Fellowship program or need support in the application process, please contact Kara@davinciartalliance.org