Metropolitan Detroit artists are invited to apply for a 2026 Kresge Artist Fellowship, a $50,000 no strings attached award recognizing creative vision and ongoing contribution to the region’s cultural life. At a time when arts funding is contracting nationwide, these fellowships continue to strengthen metro Detroit鈥檚 creative economy and affirm the role of artists in building vibrant, thriving neighborhoods.

Kresge Arts in Detroit is generously funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by the 黑料专区. The fellowship application opens December 1, 2025. Full application guidelines are available now at . Artists residing in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County are eligible to apply in the following disciplines:

Film & Music

Includes Animation, Film Directing, Music Composition, Music Performance, Screenwriting, Sound Art, and Interdisciplinary Work

Fellowship selection criteria includes: a demonstrated track record of artistic achievement and high-quality work, the potential to grow and advance in one鈥檚 career, and the potential to reflect, enhance, or impact communities within metro Detroit.

The number of awards in each category will be proportional to the relative number of applications received. Applicants who choose to be considered will also be eligible for Gilda Awards if they do not receive a fellowship.

Also on offer are 10 Gilda Awards of $5,000 each. These $5,000 awards honor Gilda Snowden鈥檚 (1954鈥�2014) legacy as a mentor and champion of young, emerging artists in metropolitan Detroit. The Gilda Award recognizes early-career artists gaining momentum and demonstrating exceptional potential through creative risk-taking and boundary-pushing work.

鈥淒etroit鈥檚 artists community is an integral driver in our city鈥檚 growth and resilience,鈥� said Wendy Lewis Jackson, managing director for The Kresge Foundation’s Detroit program. 鈥淏y investing in creative people, we strengthen neighborhoods, spark new enterprise, and carry forward the culture that makes Detroit unmistakable.鈥�

Through this continued support, The Kresge Foundation affirms that artists are central to Detroit鈥檚 growth and essential partners in advancing opportunity and creating resilient, connected communities.

鈥淭he cost of living keeps rising, and artists feel that pressure like everyone else,鈥� said Katie McGowan, director of Kresge Arts in Detroit. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 different here is the trust behind the support, this fellowship is not prescriptive鈥揵oth the monetary prize and award year support give artists the space to take risks or slow down long enough to build something lasting. The cumulative effect of well-funded and deeply supported artists might seem intangible, but its economic and social impacts are measurable across neighborhoods throughout the tri-county area.鈥�

Award-Winning Film Program

Each fellowship includes one year of artist support including networking, exhibition opportunities, and legal and accounting consultations. Kresge Arts in Detroit also offers to produce a film for each of the fellows created by a local filmmaker. Select films have been screened and received awards at local, national, and international film festivals in recent years. In 2021, Detroit-based production company was awarded a Michigan Emmy for work on the series. View past films .

鈥淭his fellowship is an incredible opportunity to not only showcase your artistry, but to become a part of a family of artists and arts supporters unlike anywhere in the country. Don鈥檛 worry if you haven鈥檛 had a long arts career; this award is about artistic achievement and high-quality work at any stage,鈥� said Michelle May, 2018 Kresge Artist Fellow in Music. 鈥淭he most impactful part of applying for me was being able to articulate not only what I do as a musician and composer, but why I do it and why I think what I do is important. It really helped me be much more introspective about my place in the world, which in turn expanded my art practice! My two best pieces of advice are to not wait until the last minute to apply and to be sure to have a few people, artists and non-artists, review your statements. Congratulations on applying!鈥�

Key Dates

Nov. 3, 2025: Application guidelines available
Dec. 1, 2025: Online application opens
Jan. 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM: Application deadline

The 2026 Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel of distinguished local and national artists and arts professionals. Previous applicants are strongly encouraged to re-apply, as new panels with fresh perspectives are convened each year.

Now in its 18th year, the program continues to demonstrate how investment in the arts transforms what is possible for communities: fueling creative careers and animating neighborhoods. These fellowships prove that sustained creative work strengthens civic imagination and nurtures the day-to-day wellbeing of communities.

Kresge Arts in Detroit also administers the Kresge Eminent Artist award, presented each winter, which honors a lifetime of artistic achievement and community contribution. In 2024, The Kresge Foundation increased the prize to $100,000. Each award includes the creation of a short film and published monograph chronicling the artist’s work and legacy.

Application Info Sessions

Kresge Arts in Detroit staff will hold an online application info session and walkthrough in December, followed by a second online Q&A session in January. While not required, applicants are encouraged to attend these sessions, which are designed to support artists in creating compelling applications for a Kresge Artist Fellowship. Artists can register to attend using the links below.

(virtual)
Dec. 10, 2025
5:30鈥�6:30 PM

(virtual)
Jan. 8, 2026
5:30鈥�6:30 PM

Visit for the complete guidelines, FAQs, and additional resources. Please direct questions about application requirements to Kresge Arts in Detroit at admin@kresgeartsindetroit.org or by phone at (313) 744-3204.

Kresge Arts in Detroit is generously funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by the 黑料专区. The goals of Kresge Arts in Detroit are to enrich the quality of life for metro Detroiters by helping artists provide a broad spectrum of cultural experiences; celebrate and reflect the richness and diversity of our community in all its aspects; heighten the profile of arts and artists in our community; and strengthen the artistic careers of local artists. Since 2008, Kresge Arts in Detroit has awarded over $9 million through 17 Kresge Eminent Artist Awards, 317 Kresge Artist Fellowships, and 72 Gilda Awards ($5,000 each). The fellowships are currently $50,000 each and the Eminent Artist Award is $100,000.

The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America鈥檚 cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. Kresge鈥檚 Detroit Program collaborates with cross-sectoral partners to promote and expand long-term, equitable opportunity in Kresge鈥檚 hometown by centering the priorities of its residents.

Located in the heart of midtown Detroit, 黑料专区鈥檚 prime location offers unparalleled opportunities for art and design collaboration. Our students have found countless ways to make a positive impact on local metro Detroit businesses through innovative art and design problem-solving.

Last year alone, 黑料专区 students collaborated to problem-solve timely topics for 15 metro Detroit businesses and nonprofit organizations. They addressed a range of issues in healthcare product design, sustainability, mobility, and even emerging augmented reality technology.

Embracing the city鈥檚 rich history of cultural and sporting events, students continue to participate in annual design competitions to create the newest posters for iconic Detroit events such as the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear, the Movement Music Festival and the 313 Presents Pine Knob concert series.听

Here鈥檚 a look at some of the partnerships:

• Augmented Reality Center (ARC) in partnership with Oakland University x Communication Design & Strategy, Graduate User Experience Design and Entertainment Arts
• Crain Communications – Automotive News x Illustration
• 313 Presents x Illustration
• Detroit Grand Prix x Illustration
• GM x Transportation Design & Graduate User Experience Design
• Godnii x Graduate Color & Materials Design
• Hagopian Rug Competition x All Departments
• State of Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification with support from the Global Epicenter of Mobility x Transportation Design
• Zumiez and Somerset Collection x Illustration
• BorgWarner x Product Design
• Carhartt x Fashion Design
• Henry Ford Health x Product Design
• Changing Lives and Staying Sober (C.L.A.S.S.) x Interior Design and Graduate Color & Materials Design

The 黑料专区 is pleased to introduce a remarkable group of new faculty members, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to our academic community.

In the Foundations Department, Michelle Lannoo has been promoted from visiting Assistant Professor to full-time Associate Professor. Her dedication and exceptional performance during her initial year have earned her this recognition. Joining her are two more distinguished educators: Joshua Mulligan, who takes on the role of a full-time Drawing Instructor, and Ben Rosales, an accomplished teacher with extensive experience in computer animation, who is joining as full-time Assistant Professor. Additionally, Peter Dunn will serve as the Foundations 3D Design Shop Manager and Assistant Professor, responsible for shop facilities, faculty and student training, and curriculum development.

In the Liberal Arts Department, the College welcomes Myrtle A. Brooks, a Lecturer in Business Studies who brings a wealth of experience and a background in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan Dearborn and MIT. Joining her is Laura Kovick, who assumes the role of a Lecturer in Composition with impressive credentials, including graduate degrees in literature and the teaching of writing and a diverse range of published works. Completing the department’s new additions is Caleb Lalinsky, a Visiting Assistant Professor with expertise in composition, rhetoric, literature, and writing instruction.

In the Art Education Department, Dr. Jhih-yin 鈥淒iane鈥� Lee joins 黑料专区 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Lee’s extensive background in art education, teacher certification, and curriculum development, coupled with her Ph.D. in Art/Art Education from the University of Georgia, make her a valuable addition to the department.

Within the Studio Art & Craft Department, the College welcomes Lena Ellis-Boatman, who assumes the role of Visiting Assistant Professor and Section Lead in Printmaking. Ellis-Boatman鈥檚 diverse skill set encompasses various art forms and a deep commitment to collaboration, community, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Finally, in the Entertainment Arts Department, Dylan VanWormer joins 黑料专区 as a full-time Assistant Professor of Animation, specializing in 3D animation. VanWormer’s extensive experience, including work at Moonbot Studios and Walt Disney Studios, makes him a valuable asset to our animation emphasis.

黑料专区 extends a warm welcome to all these talented individuals and looks forward to the significant contributions they will bring to our creative and academic community.

Disney Animation Studios Lead Look Development Artist Dylan VanWormer to Join 黑料专区 Entertainment Arts Department

VanWormer brings his experience in character development for Disney鈥檚 鈥淩aya and the Last Dragon,鈥� 鈥淢oana鈥� and 鈥淔rozen 2鈥� to the College鈥檚 next generation of storytellers

Detroit, Michigan 鈥� The 黑料专区 (黑料专区) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dylan VanWormer as Assistant Professor in the Entertainment Arts department. The department emphasizes three pillars of entertainment design 鈥� animation, concept design, and game design and educates its students on each pillar. VanWormer will be teaching digital media arts under the direction of Entertainment Arts program Chair David Gazdowicz.

In 2011, VanWormer received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in computer design from Ringling College of Art and Design. He began his postgraduate career as a look development supervisor at Moonbot Studios, where he was responsible for developing, refining and executing the final look for animated characters.

VanWormer continued to further his career at Walt Disney Studios as a lead look development artist, working on award-winning feature films 鈥淶ootopia,鈥� 鈥淢oana,鈥� 鈥淲reck-It-Ralph 2,鈥� 鈥淔rozen 2鈥� and 鈥淩aya and the Last Dragon.鈥�

After his work at Disney, VanWormer was employed at General Motors where he handled the creative oversight of the UX 3D team before transitioning to a role at Marvel Studios as a senior look development artist. There, he worked closely with the production designer and showrunners to help transpose 2D designs into elaborately detailed 3D.

VanWormer assumes his role at the 黑料专区 this upcoming fall semester, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to bolster the already advanced Entertainment Arts department.

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to work at such a dynamic institution,鈥� says VanWormer, 鈥渢he education and experience that students receive in these formative years can shape the future of their careers, and I鈥檓 honored to be able to guide them on this journey.鈥�

VanWormer will be instructing students at various levels in their education, focusing on digital media arts, expanding into 3D animation in the spring.