Write a commentThe Art Association of Oswego (AAO) and Riverside Artisans have joined forces to pilot a new program designed to support early-career artists: the Oswego Emerging Artists Fellowship.
The program offers a $750 stipend, at least one show at the AAO, display space at the Riverside Artisans, and networking and mentoring opportunities throughout the year-long fellowship term. Organizers are looking for an early-career artist—not necessarily someone young, but someone who is ready to take their art to the next level and could benefit from support to make that leap.
“This is truly about connecting artists with the community,” said AAO Board Member Karen Ringwald. The goal of the program is to provide early-career artists with the mentors, resources and connections needed to “step up in dedication to their art medium,” in Ringwald’s words. In addition to mentorship that supports artistic development, the fellow will have the opportunity to learn about other topics relevant to succeeding as an artist, such as social media and business.
“We’re looking for artists who are productive and inspired to grow,” Ringwald told iHeart Oswego. The first show of work by the fellow is tentatively planned for October 2026 at the AAO, so successful candidates will need to be ready to start quickly.
The fellowship is open to artists working in visual arts, such as sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry making, and similar disciplines. The program is unable to support performing arts candidates at this time.
Shirley Baldwin, a resin artist and member at Riverside Artisans, brought this idea to the Oswego community after a decade of living and working in a Florida community with similar programs to support early-career artists. “We all have to start somewhere,” Baldwin noted, “and when I returned home to Oswego, I wondered why we didn’t have a similar program… so I decided to start one!”
Baldwin approached the AAO about the project, and the organization was eager to collaborate as an exhibit partner, in addition to acting as the program’s fiscal sponsor.
The Richard S. Shineman Foundation provided grant funding to bring the program to life. The program will be accepting corporate sponsorships and private donations to extend and expand on the fellowship in future years.
The application portal will be open until May 31st at 11:59pm. Applicants will need to provide an artistic statement, brief bio, and examples of their work as part of the application, which is available on their website. The fellow will be chosen by a panel of five judges, including two from the Art Association of Oswego, two from the Riverside Artisans, and one member of the wider community. The fellow will be announced early in the summer.
To learn more about the opportunity and to apply, visit oswegoemergingartist.com.
