2026 Van Lier Fellowship for Visual Arts Application

2026 Van Lier Fellowship for Visual Arts Application

The Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) is pleased to administer, with support from the New York Community Trust, the 2026 Van Lier Fellowship in Visual Arts. This year, the fellowship will be awarded to two NYC-based Asian American individuals: one fellow working in the field of Visual Arts Practice and one fellow in Visual Arts Curation who hope to make an impact on the community and to help develop new or existing work.

Applicants must be:
- of Asian descent
- 30 years of age or younger on the first day of the fellowship (your birthday must fall on or after May 1, 1995)
- a resident of New York City & primarily based in NYC during the fellowship period (May - Dec 2026)
- not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program in a field related to visual art during the fellowship period; exceptions may be made for post-graduate students in a field unrelated to visual art
- practicing art in either one of these fields: Visual Art Practice, Visual Art Curation
As part of the Van Lier Fellowship, fellows will:
- benefit from an 8-month fellowship including $10,000 stipend, artistic mentorship with an established mid-career arts professional, career coaching, and a range of technical support
- develop a new or existing work during the fellowship; completion is not required, but progress is expected
Click here for complete guidelines & FAQ.

All applications are due Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.

Please note: this form allows you to save your application's progress. Make sure to click 'save & continue later' at the bottom of the form.
Personal Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Pronouns
E.g. she/her/hers/ they/ them/ their, ze/hir, etc.
Birth date (you must be born on or after 5/1/1995 to be eligible) *
mm/dd/yyyy
Email Address*
example@gmail.com
Phone Number*
xxx-xxx-xxxx
Address of Residence (you must reside in one of the five boroughs of New York City to be eligible)*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Demographic Information
Ethnicity (Please select all that apply)*

American Indian or Alaska NativeAsianBlack of African AmericanHispanic or LatinoNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderMiddle Eastern or North African (MENA)WhiteOther (please elaborate in field below)
If you selected 'Other,' please feel free to elaborate.
Please select the artist category for which you identify:*
Supplementary Information

This information provides panelists additional ways to get a greater sense of who you are, explore your body of work, recent and past projects, and collaborations.
Website (optional)
Instagram (optional)
Other handle (optional)
Headshot*

Please upload as a JPG, JPEG, or PNG file. Recommended: 1500x2100 pixels
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Photo credit for Headshot (please write in "self" if you are the photographer):
If selected, A4 may use this image for public announcement and promotion. Please check to grant permission.*

Yes, I give A4 permission to use my uploaded headshot for promotional purposes if I am selected as a fellow.
Your Bio:*

150 words or less0/150
For Visual Arts Curation applicants, please upload a chronological list of curated shows, exhibitions, etc.

Please upload as a PDF file
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Resume/CV*

Please upload as a PDF file
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Letter of Recommendation*

This may be from an educator or professional with direct knowledge and experience of the applicant and their work. Please upload as a PDF file
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Narrative Questions

These long-form questions provide panelists more context around your approach to your craft, community impact, and professional development goals.
Artistic Statement
Identify your unique artistic approach to and innovation within your chosen medium. *

300 words max0/300
Optional: Describe the influences, legacies, and/or heritages in your artistic work.

100 words max0/100
Professional Growth
Describe upcoming artistic goals and how this fellowship may help you achieve those goals.*

300 words max0/300
Describe an existing or new body of work you will develop during the 8-month fellowship. Completion is not required, but progress is expected.*

300 words max0/300
Community Impact
How do you hope your work will impact the Asian American artistic community, the visual arts field, and/or society at large?*

250 words max0/250
Fellowship Package
The fellowship includes a $10,000 unrestricted cash grant, artistic mentorship, leadership/career mentorship, and a program/presentation of your work.
If awarded the fellowship, how do you plan to use the cash grant?*

100 words max0/100

Work Samples for Visual Arts Practice

Please submit a minimum of 3 and up to 10 recent work sample images/videos (but, no more than 3 videos). Images should be formatted in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats; for videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes. For each image/video, please include a brief description (including medium), title of work, date, dimensions and duration (if applicable), and presenting/exhibition location (if applicable).

If you plan to upload videos, please upload them in the first three work sample fields.

Samples should show the breadth and ability of the artist. The strongest applicants will be able to demonstrate clarity of voice, creative drive, and unique positioning through the samples.
Work Sample #1 (Required)
Title of work*
Date*
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)*

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

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For videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes.
Please enter a link/URL to a video sample here.
For videos, please indicate time stamp range for work sample section.
If sample is complete as is, enter COMPLETE.
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #2 (Required)
Title of work*
Date*
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)*

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
For videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes.
Please enter a link/URL to a video sample here.
For videos, please indicate time stamp range for work sample section.
If sample is complete as is, enter COMPLETE.
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #3 (Required)
Title of work*
Date*
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)*

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
For videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes.
Please enter a link/URL to a video sample here.
For videos, please indicate time stamp range for work sample section.
If sample is complete as is, enter COMPLETE.
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #4 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #5 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #6 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibition location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #7 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #8 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 word max0/100
Work Sample #9 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibiting location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 words max0/100
Work Sample #10 (Optional)
Title of work
Date
Dimensions or duration (if applicable)
Presenting/exhibition location (if applicable)
Brief description (including medium)

50 words max0/50
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

Cancelof
Optional: Why was this work sample chosen?

100 words max0/100

Work Samples for Visual Arts Curation

Please submit a minimum of 1 and up to 3 curatorial projects (past, current, or upcoming) that best represent the curator's artistic point of view (limit 3 images/videos per project). Images should be formatted in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats; for videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes. For each project, please include a curatorial statement, title, dates, and presenting/exhibition location.

Samples should show the breadth and vision of the curator. The strongest applicants will be able to demonstrate clarity of voice, creative drive, and unique positioning through the samples.
Work Sample #1 (Required)
Title*
Dates*
Presenting/Exhibiting Location*
Curatorial Statement*

150 words max0/150
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats*

You may upload up to 3 images
Cancelof
For videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. If there are multiple videos, please separate links with a comma.
Work Sample #2 (Optional)
Title
Dates
Presenting/Exhibiting Location
Curatorial Statement

150 words max0/150
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

You may upload up to 3 images
Cancelof
For videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. If there are multiple videos, please separate links with a comma.
Work Sample #3 (Optional)
Title
Dates
Presenting/Exhibiting Location
Curatorial Statement

150 words max0/150
For images, upload in tiff, jpeg, or pdf formats

You may upload up to 3 images
Cancelof
For videos, please submit video links that can be viewed without a password. If there are multiple videos, please separate links with a comma.

Proof of Residency & Age

Applicants must be a resident of New York City & primarily based in New York City during the program period, and must be 30 years or younger on May 1, 2026, at the start of the fellowship.
Upload documentation of NYC residency:*

Note: Documentation must be an official document stating the applicant’s name, date, and NYC address; can be, but not be limited to: utility bill, bank statement or bill, credit card statement, valid government ID listing NYC address issued in 2025-2026, residential lease, idNYC issued in 2025-2026, roommate agreement, rent receipt or proof or rent, studio lease or any other form of official documentation listing the above.
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Upload proof of age (you must be born on or after 5/1/1995 to be eligible):*

Note: Upload passport or state-issued ID, including idNYC
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This is the end of the application form. Thank you for taking the time to apply for A4's Van Lier Fellowship.
Please note: this form allows you to save your application's progress. Make sure to click 'save & continue later' at the bottom of the form.
Should be Empty:

Proof of Residency & Age

This is the end of the application form. Thank you for taking the time to apply for A4's Van Lier Fellowship.