Fellowships for Creative and Performing Artists and Writers

A book in a book cradle in the reading room.

Fellowships for Creative and Performing Artists and Writers at the American Antiquarian Society are residential fellowships for historical research by artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons whose goals are to produce imaginative works dealing with pre-twentieth-century American history, literature, and culture. The fellowships will provide the recipients with the opportunity for a period of uninterrupted research, reading, and collegial discussion at the Society, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. 

This program began in 1995 with a grant to AAS from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund.  

Fellowship projects may include (but are not limited to):

  • historical novels
  • performance of historical music or drama
  • poetry
  • documentary films
  • television programs
  • podcasts
  • plays and libretti
  • screenplays
  • magazine or newspaper articles
  • costume designs
  • set designs
  • illustrations and other graphic arts
  • book designs
  • sculpture
  • paintings
  • other works of fine and applied art
  • non-fiction works of history designed for general audiences of adults or children
  • choreography

Eligibility

Creative and performing artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons.

Length of Term

Four weeks at the Society at any time during the period January 1 through December 31.

Stipend

The stipend is $2,000 .

Criteria

Fellows are selected on the basis the appropriateness of the proposed study to the Society’s collections. Successful applicants are those whose work is for the general public rather than for academic or educational audiences.

Typically, two Hearst Foundations Fellowships and two Robert and Charlotte Baron Fellowships are awarded annually.

  • Hearst Foundations Fellowships 
    Hearst Fellowships support historical research by creative and performing artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons whose goals are to produce imaginative works dealing with pre-twentieth-century American history, literature, and culture.

    Learn more

  • Robert and Charlotte Baron Fellowships
    Baron Fellowships support historical research by creative and performing artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons whose goals are to produce imaginative works dealing with pre-twentieth-century American history, literature, and culture.

    Learn more

Application

All applicants are considered for both the Hearst Foundations Fellowship and Robert and Charlotte Baron Fellowship. 

To apply, complete an application form online.

You will be asked to upload the following elements to your online application form.

  • STATEMENT
  • CURRENT RÉSUMÉ 
  • WORK SAMPLES and REVIEWS 

Application Deadline: October 5, 2024.