L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowship
Location: OSU Campuses
The L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowship offers Oregon State University faculty researchers working in any field of science or engineering a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative inquiry alongside a professional artist. For a period of up to two years, fellows and artists will partner on curiosity-driven exploration of questions and ideas central to their shared interests. Throughout the fellowship, PRAx will partner with the team to coordinate and promote public events showcasing the process and outcomes of the fellowship. These open collaborations between artists and scientific researchers have the potential to cultivate informed imaginaries and projects that enable us to better understand the world, envision possible futures, and address complex challenges.
We broadly define the arts to include visual arts, performing arts, media arts, and creative writing. The process of pairing artists with faculty fellows will be led by Ashley Stull Meyers, the Horning Chief Curator of Art, Science, and Technology at PRAx. Artists selected for this program will have:
- A compelling visual, performative, or multi-media creative practice.
- An interest in scientific or technical research and discoveries.
- An openness to multi- or interdisciplinary collaborations.
- Commitment to learn alongside the faculty fellow in lab or fieldwork activities and to involve the fellow in artistic investigations and experiments when appropriate.
All OSU faculty members with active research portfolios who are interested in working alongside an artist to discover creative synergies and new ways of thinking about their research are encouraged to apply. If you have questions, contact Joy Jensen at [email protected].
Fellowship Details
Oregon State University faculty with active research portfolios working in science or engineering are welcome to apply.
The nature of the collaborative relationship in this program is complementary rather than supplementary. This fellowship thrives on clear communication and mutual respect, deep curiosity about inquiry and research, and openness to new experiences or unexpected insights.
Fellows will:
- Involve the artist in research activities, immersive lab or field work experiences, and relevant meetings or idea incubation conversations.
- Participate in “reverse residency” activities by learning about the artist’s methods of inquiry, experimentation, and creative practice.
- Work with PRAx staff and the artist to develop a work plan and budget.
- Participate in quarterly online check-ins with program leaders. These can be online or in-person.
- Participate in public programming and events connected with the fellowship.
- Submit a brief final reflection on the experience (3 pages max) and provide programmatic feedback throughout the fellowship.
Fellows will receive:
- A unique opportunity to learn alongside an artist interested in their research, engaging in collaborative methods of inquiry and experimentation that can lead to new perspectives, insight, and opportunities for outreach.
- Consistent communication and support from PRAx staff on fellowship activities.
- Support in coordinating and showcasing the process and outcomes of the fellowship. These may take any or several of a variety of forms: a public presentation and exhibition, performance, installation, short film, etc. We will work with fellows and artists to shape mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Depending on the term of the fellowship (1-2 years) and the scope of the project, fellows will receive up to $15,000 per year and will give at least 75% of that funding to the artist to support their time, travel and material costs.
- February 5, 2024: Application window closes.
- March 29, 2024: Applicants notified of status.
- April 2024: Artist and fellow connection and orientation. Fellowships announced at the PRAx open house on April 6.
- May 2024: Fellowship begins.
- Near the middle and end of fellowship term: Public event(s) featuring the process and work from your collaboration.
Applications are due by February 5, 2024 via Submittable. The short application form consists of a few questions about your research and interests. Applicants will be notified of status by Friday, March, 29, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed by a diverse selection committee from relevant fields. Applicants will be notified of status by Friday, March 29, 2024. This program will open for application again next fall, so if you are not awarded a 2024 Stewart Faculty Fellowship, we encourage you to re-apply.
L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowships are supported by the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) and funded by the Office of the Provost.