The Summer Fellowship Program

Each summer, Ox-Bow offers the Summer Fellowship program for students from competitive schools all over the nation a fully funded opportunity to focus on their work, meet with renowned artists, and grow as members of this unique community. Fellowship students experience the entire Ox-Bow summer session and live on campus for 13 weeks where, in addition to providing support labor to an arts non-profit, they will participate in all areas of campus life. By working closely with staff, fellows develop relationships with others who have also made artmaking their lives.

Fellows are selected based on the merit of their work, their commitment to making inspired and innovative art, and their stated growth potential at Ox-Bow. The Summer Fellowship program is a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate within an engaging artist-run community.

Fellowship dates: May 28–August 24, 2026

Applications are due March 15, 11:59 p.m. ET

Fellowship recipients receive:

• A studio space with 24-hour access

• Bi-weekly stipend for on-campus labor

• Room and board, including 3 meals per day

• Weekly studio visits with Visiting Artists

• Opportunity to exhibit their work on campus

• Opportunity to TA a class

Undergraduate students in their senior year or graduate students from any degree-seeking institution. Ox-Bow works with partner schools to bring in fellows from across the country.

Eligibility (applicants must):

• Be undergraduate students in their senior year or graduate students

• Have a graduation date of December 2025 or later

• Be at least 21 years old at the start of the fellowship

• Have the ability to work in the United States or have a work visa prior to starting work

Who is a good fit for the Fellowship at Ox-Bow?

Successful candidates are eager to join a community centered arts-organization, gain experience in the operations of a historic non-profit from the inside, and take pride in the labor that keeps it running. All Fellows will participate in 20 hours of work per week, alongside Ox-Bow staff, and will receive a $300 weekly stipend.

Fellowship Work Study
The work study component to the Summer Fellowship Program at Ox-Bow is essential to the health and growth of our arts organization. By working in one of the areas described below Fellows allow for growth in focused fields essential to Ox-Bow culture and gain experience in the many types of labor that are integral to the function of a community-centered arts organization. Candidates may indicate on their application their work study interests, and assignments will be given before they arrive at Ox-Bow.

Artist Liaison & Administration - This Fellow serves as an essential on-campus host, focusing on providing a warm welcome for artists on arrival days, and hosting weekly faculty artist talks and visiting artist activations. Additional administrative support includes presence at the front desk each week and collecting participant evaluations. This position is well suited for a socially engaged individual who is comfortable with public speaking, enjoys sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge of Ox-Bow, and can adapt easily to the evolving rhythms and interests of a creative community. No prior administrative or arts experience is required—curiosity, warmth, and flexibility are key.

Campus-Based Retail & Events - This Fellow plays a welcoming, public-facing role at Ox-Bow, supporting operations in the on-campus art store, the Tuck Shop. Responsibilities include offering art supplies, pulling espresso, and engaging in friendly conversation with the community—helping make the Tuck Shop a lively hub for connection and creativity. Barista experience is appreciated but not required. Beyond retail support, this Fellow collaborates across departments, working with the Events team to support logistical needs as they arise, and with Campus Office staff via presence at the front desk each week. The fellow will also help welcome the public to campus by selling beverages during our lively Friday Night Open Studio events. This position is well suited for a personable, organized Fellow who enjoys bridging multiple teams and engaging with people in a variety of contexts. It offers valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of an arts non-profit, from earned revenue and fundraising to community-building and donor engagement. No prior non-profit experience is required.

Ceramics - This Fellow supports the successful day-to-day operation of the Ceramics Studio during their time on campus, with a primary focus on maintaining the physical upkeep and functionality of the space. Responsibilities include reconstituting clay, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and ensuring shared work areas remain safe and well organized. This Fellow will also gain hands-on teaching and technical experience by supporting faculty and participants throughout the learning process in the Krehbiel Ceramics Studio. This role is well suited for someone interested in deepening their technical knowledge of ceramics while contributing to a communal studio environment. Previous experience with ceramics processes is required.

Culinary - This Fellow supports the daily operation of Ox-Bow’s kitchen, a central hub of campus life that serves hundreds of guests each summer. Working as part of an energetic kitchen team, this Fellow contributes to the preparation and service of three meals a day, assists with basic food prep and cleaning processes, and helps uphold a culture of care and hospitality for the community. In addition to daily kitchen support, this Fellow serves as a liaison between faculty and the kitchen for food-based classroom programming and special events, often including communal dinners and celebratory meals. Responsibilities may include sourcing ingredients through Ox-Bow’s food delivery systems, local grocers, and farmers markets; assisting with menu planning; and providing basic accounting support for these activations. This role is well suited for someone interested in collaborative, creative food work within an arts environment. No prior professional kitchen experience is required, though enthusiasm for food, teamwork, and hospitality is essential.

Glass - This Fellow plays a vital role as a Hot Shop Assistant during their time on campus, supporting the daily operation of the Burke Glass Studio. Working closely with the Glass Studio Manager and Technicians, this Fellow helps maintain a safe, functional, and well-organized hot shop while supporting classes and studio activities. In this role, this Fellow will gain both technical and teaching experience by assisting faculty and participants during demonstrations, work sessions, and critiques. Responsibilities may include preparing materials, maintaining equipment, hosting evening blow slots, and supporting studio workflows throughout the session. This position is well suited for someone with a strong interest in glass education and collaborative studio environments. Previous experience in glass working processes is required.

Grounds & Maintenance - This Fellow supports the care, functionality, and daily operations of Ox-Bow’s 115-acre campus of wooded dunes and lagoon landscapes, an environment that inspires all who study and work here. This Fellow assists with hands-on tasks that maintain and enhance the beauty and usability of the grounds and buildings. Tasks may include raking, trash and recycling removal, basic painting, light repairs, and general upkeep across campus. This position is well suited for someone who enjoys physical, outdoor work, takes pride in maintaining shared spaces, and values contributing to the behind-the-scenes care of a creative community. No previous facilities or maintenance experience is required; a strong work ethic and willingness to learn are essential.

Historic Preservation & Archiving - This Fellow supports Ox-Bow’s ongoing efforts to organize, document, and preserve its rich history as an artists’ school founded in 1910. Working with archival materials, ephemera, and documentation related to Ox-Bow’s programs and historic campus, this Fellow contributes to long-term projects focused on cataloging, digitization, and preservation planning for both collections and the built environment. Support tasks will include assisting with archival research, cataloging materials, supporting documentation of historic structures, helping develop systems for long-term stewardship, and a presence at the front desk each week. Each summer will include one special project that engages Ox-Bow’s history and/or collection, and may include: researching and writing didactics, identifying and acquiring materials for the collection, or collaborating on preservation projects. This role is especially well suited for students interested in historic preservation, arts administration, or art history who are eager to apply their academic training in a real-world context. Fellows are encouraged to propose research projects, organizational frameworks, or creative initiatives during their residency that support Ox-Bow’s long-term archive and preservation goals. Prior experience is helpful but not required; curiosity, care, and strong organizational skills are essential.

Housekeeping - This Fellow plays a vital role in sustaining the welcoming, communal atmosphere that defines life at Ox-Bow. Working alongside the Housekeeping team, this Fellow supports the care and upkeep of campus accommodations, which include historic dorm-style buildings, rustic cabins, and contemporary lodging where faculty, participants, staff, and visiting artists live together throughout the session. Additional support tasks include participating in daily cleaning routines of common spaces including bathrooms, preparing rooms for arrivals and departures, and helping maintain shared spaces to ensure comfort, cleanliness, and hospitality across campus. This role is well suited for someone who takes pride in creating warm, functional environments, enjoys collaborative work, and brings care and attention to detail to everyday tasks. No prior housekeeping experience is required—this Fellow will receive training on site and is encouraged to contribute their own thoughtful, creative touches to the spaces they help maintain.

Photography & Communications - This Fellow serves as the lead documentarian of Ox-Bow’s summer sessions, capturing the energy, creativity, and daily life of the campus. This Fellow gains professional experience through a range of documentation efforts, from photographing studios, landscapes, and communal gatherings for use across Ox-Bow publications and platforms. Additional support tasks include organizing and delivering visual assets, being an active collaborator in team meetings, and assisting with communications needs as they arise throughout the summer. This Fellow is also encouraged to propose and develop a self-directed creative project that reflects their interests and can be shared with the Ox-Bow community (including video recaps, highlight reels, small publications, story writing, etc.). This role is ideal for a visually driven, observant Fellow who is personable and comfortable engaging directly with community members to create dynamic, authentic documentation, who enjoys working both independently and collaboratively, and who is excited by translating lived experiences into compelling images and narratives. Experience in photography is required; applicants should demonstrate both their artistic practice and documentation/commercial experience (such as event photography, editorial work, or content creation) in their portfolio. Applicants with additional experience in videography are encouraged to highlight those skills in their application.

Previous Fellows

2025 Summer Fellowship Recipients

2024 Fellowship Recipients

Michael Torres Baja Anderson
Culinary Fellow
the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Rosa Chang
Artist Liaison & Administration Fellow
Yale University & Trinity College

Ben Copolillo
Grounds & Maintenance Fellow
University of Texas at Austin

Dominique Muñoz
Photography & Communications Fellow
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Morisha Moodley
Historic Preservation and Archiving Fellow
Northwestern University