The Clark Art Institute fellowships is looking for distinguished and promising scholars, with the aim of promoting critical engagement in research across the fields of theory, history, and interpretation of art and visual culture. These fellowships seek to encourage diversity of approaches and methodologies, and to support new voices in art history, with a focus on issues that expose inequities in the field and work toward addressing them.
The program welcomes researchers, artists, critics, and curators from around the world, and applicants are not required to be U.S. citizens.
Available Fellowship Types
- Beinecke Fellowship
Designated for a senior scholar, lasting from 8 weeks to a full academic year, funded by Frederick W. Beinecke. - Caribbean Art and Its Diasporas Fellowship
Supports art historians, artists, and writers studying contemporary visual and critical practices in the Caribbean and its diaspora. - Clark Fellowships
Open to scholars in all fields of visual arts, material culture, and art history, with varying residency periods:
- Summer residency of 5 weeks (no public lecture required).
- Residency up to a full academic year.
- Clark/Oakley Humanities Fellowship
Awarded in collaboration with the Oakley Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at Williams College, for humanities scholars with an interdisciplinary approach to visual studies. - Class of ’74 Short-Term Fellowship
Honoring the first graduating class of the Graduate Program in the History of Art, for short-term residencies (5 weeks in summer or up to 8 weeks during the academic year). - Every Page Foundation Fellowship
Supports projects that promote a feminist perspective and gender equity in art history. - Futures Fellowship
Designated for artists with research projects that reimagine the role of museums, scholarship, and public engagement, particularly those connected to social justice. - Florence Gould Foundation Fellowship
For one semester, awarded annually to a scholar or curator, with priority given to projects on French art or applicants from France. - Michael Ann Holly Fellowship
For one semester or more, with priority given to critical or historical projects in visual studies. - Jacqueline Lichtenstein CFHA–Clark Fellowship
A 5-week summer fellowship for a scholar or curator from France or its territories, including housing, office space, and a $5,000 stipend.
Residency Details and Benefits
- Financial stipend, varying based on length of residency.
- Private apartment in the Visiting Fellows’ House adjacent to the Institute.
- Private office in the Clark Art Institute library.
- Round-trip travel cost coverage.
- Access to libraries, art collections, and athletic facilities at Williams College.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent professional experience.
- Artists, critics, and curators — independent or affiliated with institutions — are eligible.
- Fellowships do not fund doctoral research or the conversion of a dissertation into a book.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted only through the online portal.
Required documents:
- Online application form.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Short abstract (500 characters).
- Project description (750 words).
- Project timeline (250 words).
- All documents must be submitted in English.
- Application deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time).
- Applicants will be notified of results by the end of March 2026.
- Fellowship period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Fellows’ Commitments
- Residence in Williamstown for the full duration of the fellowship.
- Delivering a public lecture and a closed seminar (for academic year residencies).
- Participation in research activities and internal seminars.
