Native Artist Fellowship FAQs
Please note that the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) is a division of the School for Advanced Research (SAR) and is located on SAR’s campus.
Clicking a link will scroll the page to the relevant section.
Questions about eligibility >
I am First Nations from Canada. Can I apply?
Do I have to provide a copy of my CIB or tribal enrollment card?
Are there any age limitations?
Questions about the application itself >
When is the deadline?
What year fellowship am I applying for?
Can I submit my application in multiple parts?
Can I submit my application via email or fax?
Can I submit my application to the Indian Arts Research Center in person?
Can I send you a web link to my films or work instead of submitting it in printed/CD/DVD form?
Are the three questions in the application form the same as my artist statement?
What is an artist statement?
How long do answers to the three questions on the form have to be?
Can I propose a project using a medium that is not my primary medium?
Can I propose a project that involves working with a local Native community?
If my proposal involves working with the collections, will that give me an edge?
Can my proposal include traveling?
Can you review an application I am about to submit?
If my application is declined, can I submit another application for the next round of fellowships?
If my application is declined, can I have it forwarded to the next round of fellowship application reviews?
When will I know if I’m chosen as an IARC Artist Fellow or not?
Questions about SAR, IARC, and Santa Fe >
Do you provide classes at SAR or at the IARC?
Can I take classes outside of SAR?
Do I need a car while living in Santa Fe?
Is there a bus stop near SAR?
Questions about the fellowships >
Does the IARC provide any artist equipment during the fellowship?
Can I keep my regular job while I am a fellow at SAR?
Do I have to live on campus?
Can I take on speaking engagements while I’m at SAR?
Can my family and friends visit?
Can I bring my family or children with me?
Can I bring my pet(s)?
Will I need to provide a cleaning/damage deposit?
What does SAR expect of me as an artist?
General Tips >
Questions about eligibility
I am First Nations from Canada. Can I apply?
Yes. We accept applications from people indigenous to North America and its current outlying territories. This includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Please note, however, that our fellowships have various requirements. You will also need to meet the requirements of the fellowships for which you want to apply.
Do I have to provide a copy of my CIB or tribal enrollment card?
No, but you must specify your affiliated tribe or nation.
Are there any age limitations?
You must be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline. There is no upper age limit.
Questions about the application itself
When is the deadline?
All applications must be completed and POSTMARKED by January 15 of each year. If January 15 falls on a Sunday or a holiday, then you must have your application packet postmarked by January 16. There are no exceptions to the deadline.
What year fellowship am I applying for?
If you are applying for the Dubin (June 15-August 15) or King fellowship (September 1-December 1), it is for the same calendar year as the application. If you are applying for the Dobkin (March 1-May 31) fellowship, it is for the following calendar year. For example, an artist submitting an application in 2019 can apply for the 2019 Dubin and King Fellowships, as wella s the 2020 Dobkin Fellowship.
Can I submit my application in multiple parts?
We prefer that applications be submitted as one packet. This avoids incomplete applications since applicants sometimes forget to send portions of their application.
Can I submit my application via email or fax?
We are currently not accepting emailed or faxed applications.
Can I submit my application to the Indian Arts Research Center in person?
Yes. Our hours are Monday–Friday, 9–5.
Can I send you a web link to my films or work instead of submitting it in printed/CD/DVD form?
No, but you may include your website on your resume.
Are the three questions in the application form the same as my artist statement?
NO. You must submit an artist statement in addition to answering the three questions located on the application form. Both the artist statement and answers to questions must be typed or clearly written on separate pages.
What is an artist statement?
An artist statement is a brief text composed by an artist and intended to explain, justify, and contextualize his or her body of work. It is what, how, and why you do what you do, from your perspective. Artists often maintain and revise these statements throughout their careers. Please submit a statement 500–1,000 words in length.
How long do answers to the three questions on the form have to be?
There is no set amount, but a paragraph or two per question is a good length. Your project proposal and timeline (question 3) may be longer. Please do not write your answers on the application form itself.
Can I propose a project using a medium that is not my primary medium?
Yes, but make sure you are well-versed in your new medium. Artist fellows should come in with enough technical know-how to complete their project with little to no additional help. It is probably a good idea to propose a project in your stronger medium.
Can I propose a project that involves working with a local Native community?
Yes, although any costs incurred will be considered part of your fellowship project and come out of your materials or general stipend.
If my proposal involves working with the collections, will that give me an edge?
Proposals that involve the IARC collection are encouraged but not required. Several IARC artist applicants with no plans to use the collection have been accepted as fellows.
Can you review an application I am about to submit?
No.
If my application is declined, can I submit another application for the next round of fellowships?
Yes. Some past fellows applied several times before receiving a fellowship.
If my application is declined, can I have it forwarded to the next round of fellowship application reviews?
Yes, we can forward your application, but it may be in your best interest to revise your application or propose a new project.
When will I know if I’m chosen as an IARC Artist Fellow or not?
You will receive notification before May 1.
Questions about SAR, IARC, and Santa Fe
Do you provide classes at SAR or at the IARC?
No. SAR and IARC host a variety of public lectures but do not hold classes. Please explore our website for a better idea of the types of programs SAR and IARC provide.
Can I take classes outside of SAR?
No. We expect our fellows to have enough technical know-how to complete their project with a high standard of quality. That said, an artist is welcome to meet or work with other artists to gain inspiration.
Do I need a car while in living in Santa Fe?
It is not absolutely necessary but highly recommended. Santa Fe, in general, is not a very pedestrian-friendly city, and public transportation is limited. The location of SAR within Santa Fe is largely residential and surrounded by long narrow roads without sidewalks. Additionally, please realize that Santa Fe is located over 7,000 feet above sea level; unless you are used to high elevations, you will likely find the air to be rather thin.
There is a bookstore and coffee shop roughly 1/2 mile away. A small grocery store and several museums are roughly one mile away. Artists generally bring their own cars. Some fellows buy inexpensive used cars then sell them, others rent, and others choose to walk/take the bus.
Is there a bus stop near SAR?
The closest bus stop is roughly 1 mile away at Museum Hill. The bus goes to the downtown transit station, from which you may transfer to wherever you need to go. Check here for Santa Fe bus information.
Questions about the fellowships
Does the IARC provide any artist equipment during the fellowship?
No. Artists are responsible for their own equipment and materials. We provide a studio with some furniture, a dated computer, wireless and corded internet, and a black/white laser printer. The fellowship materials stipend can be used to purchase materials or equipment.
Can I keep my regular job while I am a fellow at SAR?
No. We suggest you request a leave of absence or sabbatical from your place of employment.
Can my proposal include traveling?
While small trips are allowed, they are not encouraged. We require fellows to stay in Santa Fe for a minimum of 90% of their fellowship days. It is to the artist’s benefit that he or she stay on campus and work uninterrupted.
Do I have to live on campus?
If you are local to Santa Fe and its surrounding areas, you are not required to spend your nights at SAR. We do, however, require that you spend a significant portion of your weekdays on campus and attend occasional weekend events. Non-locals are required to live on campus.
Can I take on speaking engagements while I’m at SAR?
Yes, but please be very selective. Many artists have a difficult time saying “no” and do not realize how disruptive these engagements become to their ability to work. One or two is generally fine; any more tend to infringe on a fellow’s ability to work effectively. Please invite people to come to your public talk at the end of your stay at SAR instead.
Can my family and friends visit?
Yes, for periods up to one week. We also have a number of different programs and activities scheduled throughout the fellowship period they can attend.
Can I bring my family or children with me?
Yes. If you plan on bringing family with you during your fellowship, please make note of this on your application so we can provide appropriate accommodations.
Can I bring my pet(s)?
Some pets are allowed with pre-approval.
Will I need to provide a cleaning/damage deposit?
Yes, a $450 deposit is required for fellows. This is usually taken out of the artist’s first stipend check. The deposit is returned after the artist has moved out of the residence.
What does SAR expect of me as an artist?
As an artist fellow at SAR, you will be required to give one public lecture with an open studio near the end of your fellowship. Artists also have the option to donate a single piece to the IARC. In addition, they are strongly encouraged to participate in campus events, such as the Wednesday colloquium series with SAR staff and resident scholars. Artists may also be asked to meet with press, donors, or other people related to SAR.
General Tips
Double check your application to make sure everything is filled out, all the appropriate boxes are checked off, and there are no errors.
If you have access to a computer, please provide a typed application.