Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) invites New York City-based visual artists to apply for its Artist Fellowship Training Seminar Series (**ARTWorks**), a six-month Fellowship that focuses on career sustainability and amplifies the work of emerging, underrepresented visual artists. While all New York City-based visual artists may apply, priority will be given to Queens-based BIIPOC artists.

During **ARTWorks**, six artists will regard their practice as a small business, identify entrepreneurial and professional goals, and generate a long-term plan to accomplish them. In doing so, **ARTWorks** Fellows receive the practical knowledge to navigate the aesthetic and socioeconomic complexities and substructures of the New York art world. Through fiscal and technical support, Fellows will learn the business of art as they expand their professional network. 

Fellows will engage in regular meetings with the rest of the cohort, coordinated by the Program Manager. Fellows will also be required to participate in at least six events in a Seminar Series that will explore topics chosen by the Program Manager in consultation with the Fellows.

Fellows will also engage periodically with an established career artist, who will serve as Artist Mentor to the group. During the program, the ARTWorks Artist Mentor and Program Manager will both act as contact points and resources. Their roles, in part, are to ensure that the Fellowship serves the needs and meets the interests of each artist. Occasions for peer-to-peer, group, and/or one-on-one guidance and feedback are provided.

Members of the 2026 ARTWorks cohort will have the opportunity to interact with previous ARTWorks Fellows for occasional guidance and support. After their own Fellowship is completed, the 2026 cohort would be welcome to mentor future cohorts as well.

**Program Timeline:**

*   Announcement of Fellows made public on Friday, September 18, 2026
    
*   ARTWorks 2026 begins Wednesday, October 7, 2026
    
*   ARTWorks 2026 Exhibition Opens Friday, April 9, 2027
    
*   ARTWorks 2026 ends Friday, June 18, 2027

Each Fellow in the **ARTWorks** program receives $5,000, paid out over the course of the program. Fellows are also eligible for free studio space at JCAL, comprised of about 550 square feet, on an as-available basis. (Applicants should be aware that this studio space will be shared with other JCAL programs.) One 7’ x 4’ studio closet will be allotted to Fellows for storing projects and materials if needed. Working through the Program Manager, Fellows may also take one free class at JCAL on a space-available basis.

At the conclusion of **ARTWorks**, Fellows participate in a two-month public group exhibition (with catalogue) in JCAL’s Miller and Community galleries.

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