EVENT LINK: https://pwcenter.org/programs/mcknight-theatre-artist-fellowships/

FEE: Free to apply

McKnight Theater Artist Fellowships

Supports mid-career Minnesota-based theater artists (non-playwrights) who demonstrate a sustained body of work, artistic achievement, and commitment to their craft.

Fellowship Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Award: $25,000 fellowship to advance the artist’s work and career.

Applications are now open.

Key Dates

• Intent to Apply (strongly encouraged):
  Recommended starting September 2025 (any time before final deadline)
  — also add upcoming performances to the PWC performance calendar to help panelists view your work.

• Working Session: Creating Artist Statements:
  Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. CT

• Office Hours with Julia Brown (12–3 p.m. CT):
  Nov. 19 • Dec. 3 • Dec. 17 • Jan. 14 • Mar. 18

• Final Application Deadline:
  Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT

Eligibility Highlights

• Continuous Minnesota residency since March 26, 2025; must maintain residency during fellowship.

• Must be 18+ and have legal authorization to work in the U.S.

• Open to:
  Actors, directors, dramaturgs, stage managers, designers (incl. puppetry), theater-focused choreographers & composers.
  (Playwrights are not eligible.)

• Not eligible:

  • Full-time students

  • Recipients of any McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship from 2021–2026

  • Staff/board of McKnight or Playwrights’ Center and immediate families

• Applicants may apply to only one McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship per year.

Application Materials

1. Application form

2. Artistic statement

3. Résumé or bio

4. Two statements of working process

5. Work sample info sheet

6. Work sample(s)

Applications submitted through SlideRoom (separate login from PWC).

Additional Notes

• Declaring intent to apply helps panelists attend live performances (not required but strongly encouraged).

• Applicants without live performances during the cycle are still fully competitive—work samples are equally weighted.

• Info sessions on artistic statements and digital work samples will be announced; those who submit intent to apply will receive updates.

Questions:
Julia Brown – juliab@pwcenter.org | 612-332-7481 ext. 1115