Mercer County Community College and the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University are now accepting applications from visual artists living and working in the City of Trenton for the inaugural Trenton Arts Fellowship.
The new program is a collaboration between the two institutions to support artists in Trenton modeled on the Lewis Center’s other artist fellowship programs. The online application deadline is Nov. 14.
An open house event, including a workshop on the application, will be offered on Sept. 20 at the MCCC’s James Kerney Campus in Trenton.
Organizers say that the program has grown from conversations among Lewis Center and MCCC faculty and administrators as a way to recognize and support artists of exceptional promise in the capital city. Artworks Trenton, an anchor artists’ organization in the city, is also a collaborator.
One visual artist will be selected in this first 2026-27 round with the hope to expand the program in the future. The artist will receive a $10,000 stipend, of which up to half can be used for living expenses with the remainder for materials and research connected to their work. Organizers say that they will also receive access to shared studio space in Trenton Hall on the MCCC James Kerney campus from September 2026 through June 2027.
In addition, the fellow will receive an appointment through MCCC (no teaching is required); will have access to both MCCC and Princeton University resources; and have the option to participate in workshops, public conversations, open studios and exhibitions in an MCCC gallery space.
The Trenton Arts Fellowship opportunity is open to all. To be eligible, applicants must live and work in the City of Trenton (proof of a Trenton address may be required) and may not be enrolled in an institutional program of study during the fellowship period. Applicants may be in school during the application process.
Artists can learn more about the program and the application process on Sept. 20 during the annual citywide Arts All Day open studios event presented by Artworks. A reception in Trenton Hall at 137 North Broad Street is set to begin at noon.
At 1 p.m., a brief presentation on the application process and form will be offered with an opportunity to ask questions. Starting at 1:30 p.m., MCCC faculty member Michael Chovan-Dalton will host a workshop on the third floor of Trenton Hall that will share a few options for successfully photographing artwork for a portfolio.
Applicants will be required to apply online. The application submission consists of a resume, a 500-word project proposal for work to be done during the 10-month fellowship, work samples, and a 150-word statement on how the submitted work samples relate to the proposal. Applications are due by Nov. 14. Questions can be directed via email to trentonartsfellowship@mccc.edu.
The selected inaugural Trenton Arts Fellow will be announced in March 2026.
