Open Call: 2026–27 QM-Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists

Applications are now closed.

The Queens Museum (QM) is pleased to launch its seventh QM-Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists in New York City. Two visual artists will receive $20,000 each, professional development consultations, and close mentorship from QM staff members working toward an artist’s project. The fellowships will culminate in solo project exhibitions at the Queens Museum in 2027. The duration of each fellowship is one year, culminating with the opening of the fellow’s exhibition.

Application Deadline: September 22, 2025, 11:59pm EST

The QM-Jerome Foundation Fellowship is open to emerging visual artists living in the five boroughs of New York City. The Queens Museum defines an emerging artist as one who is at the beginning of their public career. The eligible artist has completed their studies, but has not had solo exhibitions at commercial galleries or public institutions or yet received major grants. The category also includes artists who are well beyond their studies, and may have participated in group exhibitions but have not received extensive press or market recognition. These artists may have exhibited their work in other countries on a limited basis, but have not had major exhibition opportunities in the US or in New York in particular.

Past Fellows:

2014-2015: Meredith James, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, Casey Tang

2016-2017: Ronny Quevedo, Sable Elyse Smith, Julia Weist

2018-2019: Alexandria Smith, American Artist

2020-2021: Asif Mian, Sydney Shen

2022-2023: sonia louise davis, Emile L. Gossiaux

2024-2025: Abang-guard, Umber Majeed

The QM-Jerome Foundation Fellowship came at a crucial moment in my artistic journey. Having the opportunity to mount my first institutional solo exhibition with funding was invaluable. I know I was able to successfully navigate this milestone thanks to the amazing QM curatorial team and the Foundation’s financial support.

– sonia louise davis

“Even as we traversed pandemic delays and restrictions, there was a deep enthusiasm and unwavering support for my debut solo museum exhibition. The QM-Jerome Foundation Fellowship allowed me to work with a talented curatorial team and experienced staff to research, plan, create, and install the type of immersive installation I have been working towards. I am especially appreciative of how the exhibition integrated itself into the Queens community from items in the gift shop, to educational tours, and a guided sound meditation performance.”

– Asif Mian

“The QM-Jerome fellowship gave me space, time and funding to experiment with scale, materials, and architecture in ways I had not had the opportunity to in the past… Through this fellowship, I had the opportunity to teach a multilingual and intergenerational zine-making class which allowed me to see the potential of an exhibition project that integrates all elements of my practice as both an artist and educator.”

– Kameelah Janan Rasheed

“The Jerome fellowship has allowed me to focus on creating a critically rigorous exhibition that reflects my research-based practice rather than being concerned with the artwork performing well on the art market. By having the fellowship I’ve gained an understanding of how production, labor, and research factor into a large-scale exhibition. I have also learned how to interface with a large institution and work collaboratively to develop an exhibition.”

– American Artist

Frequently Asked Questions

How are you defining “emerging artist”? 

• QM defines an emerging artist as one who has had limited exhibition exposure, with no more than a few grants or fellowship awards. 
• You are at the beginning of your public career and have completed your studies, but have not had solo exhibitions at established commercial galleries, museums, or major public institutions;
• OR you are well beyond your studies, and may have participated in group exhibitions but have not received extensive press or market recognition;
• AND/OR you have exhibited work in other countries on a limited basis, but have not had major exhibition opportunities in the US or in New York in particular.
• You have not received major grants comparable to the amount granted by this fellowship ($20,000).

I live outside of the five boroughs of NYC, can I apply?

• Applicants should reside in New York City—any of the five boroughs—and should have resided in the City for at least one (1) year prior to the application deadline. They should reside in NYC until the end of the Fellowship period.

How are applications evaluated?

• Applications will be shortlisted based on the strength of their proposed project, overall practice, and work samples.
• Strong applications demonstrate a clear and ambitious vision, strong readiness to expand and experiment in their artistic practice, and have an understanding of the context at QM.

Is there a timeline for the selection process?

• A jury made up of curatorial staff from QM and two guest jurors will review applications. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview at QM in early November. We hope to inform all applicants before the new year. 

Do I need to submit floor plans, sketches, or renderings related to my proposed project?

• No. Artists are welcome to share visual materials related to their proposed project if available as work samples, but this is not required. 

Will late submissions be accepted?

• We will not be able to accept any late submissions. Please be sure to submit your application by Sept 22, 2025, 11:59pm EST

If I am awarded the fellowship, how is payment handled?

• The $20,000 award is a lump sum payment that will be paid in two installments. This monetary award covers the artist fee, materials, and relevant production costs for the work the fellow will create for the exhibition. 

Equity, Access, and Inclusion

Equity, Access, and Inclusion are at the forefront of all our initiatives. The Queens Museum proudly welcomes residents and visitors to participate in and enjoy our programs in an inclusive, diverse, equitable, artistic, and educational environment. Community is at the center of the QM’s work. We collaborate with neighbors and community partners across the borough of Queens to serve our uniquely diverse audiences.

We seek to provide every resident with an equal opportunity to pursue their creative practice and share their work with the public/community.

The Queens Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race ancestry, religion, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health decisions, familial status, HIV status, caregiver status, conviction record, domestic victim status, unemployment status, military service, credit history, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

The QM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for physical or cognitive needs. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the building and our programs in relation to your accessibility needs, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact us at idea@queensmuseum.org or by phone at (718) 592-9700.