Community Arts Fellow
The Community Arts Fellowship at Clay Art Center is intended as an in-depth mentorship, in which early career ceramic artists can develop their own artwork, establish themselves as educators in the field, and gain experience in outreach arts education programming.
Preference will be given to applicants with an interest in community engagement. Our community arts programs provide arts education to those who may not otherwise have access. Clay Art Center is proud to partner with local schools, assisted living facilities, veterans, senior citizens, and other community-based organizations to offer high-quality arts education and enrichment both onsite and offsite.
Read more about our current Community Arts Fellow. This program is funded in part by the Westchester Community Foundation, a division of the New York Community Trust. Learn more about our other Resident Artist opportunities.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Community Arts Fellowship cycle are due Wednesday, April 1, 2026 by 5pm.
Reach out to ed@clayartcenter.org with any questions.
Benefits
The recipient will receive a prestigious one-year Fellowship at Clay Art Center, which provides the following:
Private 10’x10’ studio space and access to glazes, equipment, and kilns.
Free firing.
Payment for studio assistance at a rate of $19/hour for 9 hours/week (approximately $684/month).
Attendance at visiting artist workshops and lectures held at Clay Art Center.
Regular critiques with fellow Artists-in-Residence and Clay Art Center staff.
Registration at the NCECA Conference (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts).
Paid teaching opportunities focused on community arts and youth programming. The fellow will spend an average of 6-8 hours a week teaching in the Westchester County and Port Chester communities, including family workshops, K-12 schools, after school classes, mosaic programs, and programs for people with disabilities.
Solo exhibition in Clay Art Center Gallery at the end of the program.
Access to professional development opportunities.
Responsibilities
One year commitment beginning September 1, 2026, with the opportunity to apply for a second year at the discretion of Clay Art Center.
9 hours of studio responsibilities on a weekly basis, including, but not limited to, the firing of all community arts related artwork, participation in mosaic installations, managing high school community arts interns, and offsite promotional events.
During the fellowship, we ask that the residents and fellows create 5 vases of varying sizes for our annual fundraiser in October.
Requirements
Interest in community arts and youth education programming.
A strong foundational base in the medium of ceramics, as well as a clear direction in their own artwork.
Preference will be given to applicants with an interest in community engagement.
All applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents.
BFA or MFA highly recommended.
Timeline
Overview: Fellowship begins September 1, 2026 - ends August 20, 2027
April 1, 2026 by 5pm ET: Applications Due
May 2026: Notifications
Incoming Fellow:
August 27, 2026: New Fellow can access their space
September 1, 2026: Fellowship welcome and orientation
August 20, 2027: Fellowship ends (for single year fellows only)
Application Requirements
Applications are due on April 1, 2026 by 5pm ET and will include the following:
Statement of Interest: Address what you hope to achieve in your fellowship at Clay Art Center. Please include your goals related to artmaking, teaching, and supporting our community arts programming.
Artist Statement
Resume
2 professional references with name, contact information, title, and your relationship to both
10 digital images of finished work completed during the last 2 years
Image List with Title, material, process, date, and dimensions
Please label and format all documents as follows:
Written documents must be submitted as PDFs and should include your name at the top of each page
Images must be submitted as JPGs or PNGs
Format all file names as LastNameFirstNameDocument.pdf and all images as LastNameFirstNameImageNumber.jpg (i.e.: ChoyKatherineResume.pdf and ChoyKatherineImage1.jpg)
For questions, email ED@clayartcenter.org.
Selection Process
All applications are reviewed by our Fellowship Committee. Living space is not provided.
Clay Art Center encourages applications from historically underrepresented communities in the ceramic arts. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Clay Art Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Community Fellows, 2011-2026:
2011-2012 Catie Newman
2012-2013 Kelly O'Sullivan
2013-2014 Gabby Sia
2014-2015 Lindsey Francis
2015-2016 Jose Tlaczani
2016-2017 Teddy Poneman
2017-2018 Dana Reifer
2018-2019 Luke Wilde
2019-2020 Nicole Peters
2020-2021 Breana Hendricks
2021-2022 Breana Hendricks
2022-2023 Jess Levin
2023-2024 Steph Perez
2024-2025 Steph Perez
2025-2026 Steph Perez