Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Awards

Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Awards is sponsored by Kresge Arts in Detroit, generously funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by the College for Creative Studies. These awards are prizes for emerging artists, named in honor of artist and 2009 Kresge Artist Fellow Gilda Snowden.

Application opens for $50,000 Kresge Artist Fellowships and $5,000 Gilda Awards - Kresge Foundation Our Story at 100 Promoting human progress since 1924, expanding equity and opportunity today Our Staff Our work is made possible by a staff of mission-driven professionals Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Central to how we operate and fund, we center DEI in all we do Careers Check for new openings and learn about working at The Kresge Foundation Board of Trustees Leaders who provide governance, expertise and support to our work Press Room Resources and information for commnunications professional American Cities Effective, inclusive community development in U.S. cities Arts & Culture Positioning culture and creativity as drivers of more just communities Detroit Expanding long-term, equitable opportunity in our hometown Education Addressing postsecondary attainment and closing equity gaps Environment Helping cities with equitable climate resilience strategies Health Building equity-focused systems of health to achieve well-being Human Services Increasing social-economic mobility for people with low incomes Social Investment Practice Unlocking capital for community development Strategic Learning, Research & Evaluation Building a culture of learning across the organization and support community learning priorities Initiatives Our time-bound funding programs can bring multiple Kresge teams together to co-create strategies Grants & Social Investments Grants Awarded A database of grants dating back to 2009 Social Investments Made A database of PRIs, guarantees and other investments How to Apply Details on eligibility, FAQs, Fluxx guidance and more For Current Grantees FAQs for partners, communicating about your work and more Application opens for $50,000 Kresge Artist Fellowships and $5,000 Gilda Awards Program sustains one of the nation’s largest, no-strings-attached awards amid shrinking arts funding Applications are now open for the 2026 Kresge Artist Fellowships, inviting metro Detroit artists to apply for one of the region’s most significant no-strings-attached awards.

This year, 10 artists working in Live Arts and Film & Music will each receive a $50,000 fellowship affirming Kresge’s long-standing commitment to sustaining artists amid a shifting national landscape. Eligible artists residing in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties may apply online through Jan. 15, 2026.

There are no exceptions to this deadline. Applicants are encouraged to review the latest application guidelines before applying. The fellowships are funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by Kresge Arts in Detroit , an office of the College for Creative Studies.

In 2026, Kresge Arts in Detroit will award 10 fellowships and 10 Gilda Awards in the Live Arts and Film & Music categories. The fellowships and Gilda Awards will be divided between the two categories based on the relative number of applications received in each category.

Disciplines for each category include: LIVE ARTS: Choreography, Comedy, Dance, Performance Art, Playwriting, Storytelling, Theatre Directing and Interdisciplinary Work FILM & MUSIC: Animation, Film Directing, Music Composition, Music Performance, Screenwriting, Sound Art and Interdisciplinary Work A total of 20 awards (10 fellowships and 10 Gilda Awards) will go to artists of all career stages.

Kresge Artist Fellowships are $50,000, no-strings-attached, awards which include artist support opportunities and a short film highlighting the artist’s work. Artists applying for a fellowship can also choose to be considered for one of the 10 available Gilda Awards, which are $5,000 unrestricted prizes for emerging artists living and working in the tri-county area.

The awards honor the legacy of Gilda Snowden (1954–2014), who was one of the 18 inaugural artists to receive a Kresge Artist Fellowship in 2009 and who taught painting at the College for Creative Studies for more than 30 years. The online application allows artists to opt to be considered for a Gilda Award if they do not receive a fellowship. Dec.

1, 2025: Online application opens Jan. 15, 2026, by 11:59 PM: Application deadline. There are no exceptions to this deadline.

The 2026 Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel of distinguished local and national artists and arts professionals. Previous applicants are strongly encouraged to reapply, as new panels, with fresh perspectives, are convened each year.

“My fellowship year has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life … I’ve made so many connections, friendships, progress towards finishing my documentary, but most importantly, I found more purpose as a filmmaker and found more worth as an artist because of the Kresge Artist Fellowship,” shared 2018 Kresge Artist Fellow Ben Corona .

Application information sessions Kresge Arts in Detroit staff will hold an online application info session and walkthrough in December, followed by a second online Q&A session in January. While not required, applicants are encouraged to attend these sessions, which are designed to support artists in creating compelling applications for a Kresge Artist Fellowship. Artists can register to attend using the links below.

Application Info Session (virtual) Dec. 10, 2025: 5:30–6:30 p. m.

EST Application Q&A Session (virtual) Jan. 8, 2026: 5:30–6:30 p. m.

EST Visit kresgeartsindetroit. org for the complete guidelines, FAQs, and additional resources. Please direct questions about application requirements to Kresge Arts in Detroit at [email protected] or by phone at (313) 744-3204.

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