• The 2027 Fellowship dates are January 15, 2027- January 13, 2028. The exhibition dates of work produced during the fellowship period are estimated to be mid-February through mid-April 2028 and may be subject to change. 

• Practicing visual artists of all backgrounds and at any stage of their career are eligible to apply. Choreographers, dancers, theatrical performers, filmmakers, musicians, writers, and other artistic disciplines outside of contemporary visual art are not eligible to apply.

• Visual artists 21+ years of age

• Eligible artists have lived in North Carolina full time for a minimum of one year (twelve consecutive months) at the time of their application and who will continue living in North Carolina for the duration of the Fellowship may apply.

• Applicants may not be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program during the time of their Fellowship. Applicants may be enrolled in such programs during the application process. Doctoral candidates that have finished all coursework may apply.

• Artists who have exhibited or are scheduled to exhibit a solo show in the Anchorlight gallery January 2026-December 2026 are not eligible to apply this cycle.

• Artists who are submitting an application for a 2027 Brightwork Grant are not eligible to apply this cycle.

• In addition to meeting the criteria listed above, we are looking for artists who can demonstrate a need for all four of the means of support the fellowship offers: financial support, studio space at Anchorlight, participation in the Anchorlight artist community, and a solo exhibition in the Anchorlight gallery.

• You can expect to submit high quality images of your work that best represent your practice, as well as answers to short essay-style questions regarding how you would benefit from both a studio + a solo exhibition at Anchorlight, a short artist statement, and a plan for the body of work you will produce while in residence at Anchorlight.

• Applicants must have lived  in North Carolina full time for a minimum of 12 consecutive months at the time of application.

• The Brightwork Fellowship is only able to accommodate the practices of individual artists. We do not accept applications from teams or collaborative groups/partnerships at this time.

• Artists who participated in the Brightwork program prior to 2022 are permitted to reapply to the program five years after their previous Brightwork residency ended. Artists awarded the Brightwork Fellowship starting in 2022 and beyond are not eligible to reapply in the future.

• The Brightwork Fellowship is a studio based residency. Therefore, only mediums that the Anchorlight studios can accommodate are eligible. Equipment or materials that produce fumes requiring special ventilation, smoke, fire, excessive dust, noise, or permanent damage to the facilities are not permitted. If you have questions about whether a specific aspect of your practice can be accommodated please ask us by submitting the form below.

• A 500+ square foot studio with 24/7 access at Anchorlight (located in Wake County)

• A solo exhibition in the Anchorlight gallery at the conclusion of their residency

• A financial award of $50,000.00 paid in four installments over the course of the fellowship term.

• The Brightwork Fellowship does not provide materials, supplies, or equipment. Studios are not equipped with sinks. Fellows may use the common area work sink shared with other Anchorlight artists. Specialized equipment requires prior approval. Fellows have access to all common areas at Anchorlight which include a community kitchen.

• The Brightwork studio is roughly 500+ square feet with three sheetrock walls (not backed with plywood) and one CMU wall with homasote pin-up board installed over the CMU. The floors are sealed concrete. Studios at Anchorlight are considered "semi-private" due to the open ceiling plan, which means that sound travels from studio to studio fairly easily. The Brightwork studio is equipped with two work tables, shelving, and other basic furniture. The overhead lights are LED bar strips and the studio has a skylight. There are no windows and no sink inside the studio. Fellows share a large work sink with Anchorlight studio tenants.

• Yes. If you have specific questions or concerns regarding accessibility please contact us using the form below.

• No. Studios at Anchorlight are work spaces only. Evidence of living in your studio results in immediate dismissal from the program.

• No. You may live anywhere in North Carolina and be accepted into the program. However, please note that there is a minimum requirement of fifteen hours per week of time spent in the studio provided. The studio is located in Raleigh, Wake County NC. Artists living outside of Wake Co. will be asked to submit writing on their commute plan.

• The financial award is unrestricted and is paid in four installments throughout the year of residency. The Fellow is required to submit a form W-9.

This is an independent, self-directed residency program. In addition to the eligibility requirements (see above) fellows are required to:

• Be available for quarterly progress meetings with the Fellowship Director (in person at Anchorlight).

• Create an original body of work for exhibition at the Anchorlight gallery during the dates outlined in their contract.

• Spend a minimum of fifteen hours per week using the studio provided at Anchorlight.

• Fellows are expected to be comfortable working in an active community environment, i.e in a building with other artist studios, workshops, and gallery events.

• Fellows are selected by a rotating panel of artists, arts workers or supporters that either live in, work in, or have a connection to North Carolina. Panelists have full access to all documents and biographical information submitted in the application. Finalists will be required to participate in an interview between September 9-28, 2025.

• Panelists will be announced when the selected Fellow is announced.

• There is no deferment option at this time.

• No. Unfortunately, due to Anchorlight's small staff size we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications at this time.

• There will be a small application fee charged by SlideRoom, Anchorlight does not charge an additional fee to apply.