Should You Apply for a Guggenheim?

The names alone are seductive:  Guggenheim, Fulbright, MacDowell  . . .  their siren songs call to you. These big fellowships offer the promise of significant time and money  to support your art practice. How do you decide if you should apply?  

​Such fellowships often go  to people who have already made it on the national scene. So before you jump in, review the past winners. Don’t just look at their work, assess their careers. Find their CV or resume, and examine four areas: previous grants received, solo exhibitions at museums and universities, artist residencies attended, and press reviews. Then compare your own accomplishments. 

If you think you have a chance, go for it! At least a month before the due date, dig deep into the application process. If they care about financial need, what documents will be required? Do they ask for a project, or do they fund your practice overall? Leave yourself plenty of time to complete the application, and get help with the writing if you need it. 

Most of the big fellowships ask you to describe the scope, intention, and impact of your art. This is a difficult and valuable process, where you step outside your art practice and explain it to others. Even if you don’t get chosen this year, such work is never wasted. You’ll generate documents to revise and use again. 

If your research tells you that you don’t yet have what’s expected for the national fellowships, don’t be discouraged. There are many state, local, and regional opportunities out there. And by understanding where you need to strengthen your own resume, you’ll be able to focus your efforts so that you’ll be at the top of the list next time.