CALL FOR APPLICANTS: Artist Commons' 2026–2027 Artist Development Program

Artist Commons is a year-long, online artist development program for early- and mid-career visual artists.

If you've been craving a more focused year for your art, one where you're not working alone, relying on likes for feedback, or guessing about next steps, this is your chance to apply and be a part of our 2026–2027 cohorts.

Artist Commons brings together small groups of artists for four structured ten-week quarters. Each accepted applicant is placed into a cohort of ten artists and paired with a mentor. Your cohort meets every week of the quarter for a two hour workshop discussion. Over the course of the year, you’ll repeatedly get to present your work, receive detailed feedback, and refine both your process and the way you speak and write about your art. Cohorts are built to balance experience levels, disciplines, and geography so that sessions are both challenging and supportive as you grow in your practice.

With your cohort, you’ll also tune into weekly lectures, panels, and interviews from a variety of visiting artists and guest speakers from across the art world. Topics include how to navigate the art world and the business of art, the philosophy of art, craft and creativity, modern and contemporary art movements, and how to do outreach and pursue opportunities. The program prioritizes both practical skill-building and critical discourse so you can level up your studio work and your professional footing at the same time.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

1. Sign up for the newsletter to learn more
2. Follow @artist_commons on socials for inspiration and lecture clips (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads)
3. Check out the website and read through the Program Details to see how the program would benefit your practice
4. Apply today

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Across the full year, Artist Commons cohort members receive:

• Weekly cohort feedback sessions for critique, accountability, and momentum
• Weekly lectures on the business of art, craft and creativity, modern and contemporary art history, and the philosophy of art
• Panels and interviews with guest speakers from around the art world
• Process lectures, candid interviews, and presentations from Visiting Artists in Residence
• 4 one-on-one mentor meetings
• Portfolio reviews
• Writing clinics
• Close-looking and discussion-based activities
• Reading group discussions around essays, articles, and book selections
• Private community space for conversation, feedback, and connection
• Resources highlighting residency, grant, and open call opportunities

Artist Commons accepts applicants twice per year for new cohorts that start in January and July. The next batch of cohorts start July 5, 2026. View the full program schedule here.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Early Admission Deadline – Monday, May 25

Standard Admission Deadline – Monday, June 15

Admission applications are submitted through the Artist Commons website and processed on a rolling basis. All you’ll need to apply are examples of your recent work and some short written responses about your art practice and goals. Decisions are emailed within about two weeks of each deadline. Applications may close early if all cohorts fill, so please consider applying as early as possible. There is no application fee.

To learn more and submit your application, visit artistcommons.art, review the Program Details, and follow the instructions on the Apply page.

ELIGIBILITY

Artist Commons is for early- and mid-career visual artists. If you’re looking for thoughtful feedback on your work, clearer guidance on how to navigate the art world and the business of art, and a generous, inspiring community to help push you forward in your practice, Artist Commons is for you.

Artists in the program come from 16 countries around the world and represent a wide range of mediums and disciplines, from painting, sculpture, and photography to video, installation, digital art, and interdisciplinary practices. Through actionable knowledge and cohort-based mentorship, we support all types of artists at different stages in their career, whether or not you went to art school.

TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS

The tuition for the full year is $2,400, plus applicable tax. This includes weekly cohort feedback sessions, quarterly one-on-one mentorship meetings, and two lectures/guest speakers each week, for a total of 5–6 hours of material per week and over 150+ contact hours over the course of the year.

Tuition is paid in two parts: a $1,200 deposit to secure your seat in a cohort, followed by ten installments of $120 each.

To make the program more accessible, Artist Commons offers a limited number of need-based scholarships ranging from $300 to $1,200 to help artists cover the deposit. These scholarships are made possible through the generous support of our donors. Scholarship recipients are still responsible for any remaining portion of the deposit and the ten monthly installments. To be considered for a scholarship, simply fill out the scholarship section at the end of the admissions application.

If this sounds like the kind of support you've been missing, we would love to see your application!