McKnight Printmaking Fellowship at Highpoint
Fellowship Overview:
Founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists and culture bearers thrive, the McKnight Foundation’s arts and culture program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Support for individual working Minnesota artists and culture bearers has been a cornerstone of the program since it began in 1982. The McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships Program provides annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in 15 different creative disciplines. Program partner organizations administer the fellowships and structure them to respond to the unique challenges of different disciplines. Currently, the foundation contributes about $2.8 million per year to its statewide fellowships. For more information, visit mcknight.org/artistfellowships.
The specific intent of the McKnight Printmaking Fellowship is to recognize and support mid-career artists living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence in the field of printmaking.
Two selected artists will receive:
An unrestricted $25,000 award
One year access to Highpoint’s state-of-the-art print shop
Technical support from the fellowship coordinator
Professional development opportunities
Storage space for materials, use of inks, and standard shop supplies
Provided access to Highpoint classes
Group discussions and critiques with local and national experts in the field
McKnight Printmakers' exhibition, public talk, and reception at Highpoint
Professional digital documentation of exhibited artwork
Opportunity to participate in a fully-funded artist residency through a partnership with the Artist Communities Alliance following the fellowship year
Highpoint supporting membership
Fellowship Timeline:
Wednesday, November 1 @ 7 pm — info session (join at Highpoint or via Zoom)
A recording of the session will be made available on our website at a later date
Sunday, November 26 @ 11:59 pm — applications due
Thursday, January 18 — applicants notified
Thursday, February 1 — Fellowship begins
Friday, January 31, 2025 — Fellowship ends
Eligibility Requirements
This program is open to Minnesota-based printmakers, including artists living outside the metro area.
Have or maintain MN residency for at least one year prior to application and for the duration of the fellowship.
Are beyond emerging with a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and excellence in the field of printmaking.
Have not been awarded a McKnight Artist Fellowship in any artistic discipline in the last five years.
Demonstrate growth and ongoing artistry since their most recent McKnight Artist Fellowship (if applicable).
Are not staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or fellowship administrative partners.
Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program.
Artists must demonstrate excellence in at least one traditional printmaking technique (intaglio, lithography, screenprinting, mono printing, or relief).
Applicant may only apply to one McKnight Artist Fellowship per year (in any/all artistic disciplines).
Questions about eligibility or anything else? Contact josh@highpointprintmaking.org
Application Process
You will need the following materials to complete your application:
Image Sample - 15 examples of artwork made within the last 10 years
At least 10 of the images must incorporate one or more printmaking techniques
Images must be clear and professionally presented
Detail images will count against the allowable total of 15
Any work submitted must be printed by the applicant artist
Applicants are allowed to submit up to 2 videos (3 minute maximum) in their image sample
Image files should be sized at 1900 pixels on the longest side and less than 5mb
title images in this manner: lastname.firstname.01, lastname.firstname.02, and so on
Image List - a document including information for each image submitted
Make sure your name appears on the image list
Provide title, medium, year completed and dimensions for each image
The information should correspond to the numbered images
Artist Resume - maximum 5 pages
Make sure your name appears on the resume
Statement of Artistic Practice - maximum 2 pages written or 5 minutes spoken (video)
Make sure your name appears on the statement
A project budget is not required.
You are not required to describe fellowship goals because this is not a project-based opportunity. However, you may describe these goals in your statement if you wish.
For helpful information about preparing your application materials, click here.
*Please make sure you have all of your materials ready before you begin your application*
Selection Process
A panel of two arts professionals will review applications remotely and select a group of finalists. Finalists will host the jurors for a studio visit, after which the jurors will make their final decision.
Much more about the selection process as well as helpful information about preparing your application can be found in the FAQ here.
Questions? Contact Josh Bindewald, Director of Artist Programs: josh@highpointprintmaking.org or 612-871-1326
About the McKnight Foundation
The McKnight Foundation is a family foundation based in Minnesota that seeks to advance a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive.