Gallery Fellowship

1001 Colors' Gallery Fellowship Program, presented by V2, is a career‑building opportunity designed to support emerging artists, between 16 and 24 years old, as they develop their artistic practice and gain real‑world exhibition experience.

The program provides access to resources, mentorship, and professional exposure, helping artists build confidence and momentum as they take meaningful steps toward creative careers.

Gallery Fellows create original bodies of work while learning how exhibitions, galleries, and creative careers function in practice. Through guided support and hands‑on experience, artists strengthen their voice, expand their skills, and engage with audiences in a professional gallery setting.

Learn Through Practice

The Gallery Fellowship is built on learning by doing. Fellows work side by side with accomplished mentors and peers in an active, professional studio environment, exploring materials, strengthening ideas, and shaping a cohesive body of work from concept through exhibition.

Mentorship is a defining strength of this experience. Our Artists‑in‑Residence and Professional Development Facilitators are established artists and creative professionals, including professors, advanced‑degree holders, curators, and arts business owners. Fellows don’t just receive feedback, they gain insight from people actively working in the field, navigating creative careers, and contributing to the broader arts ecosystem.

Through both studio practice and professional development, Fellows build skills that matter in the real world, including:

• Writing and refining an artist statement
• Pricing artwork and understanding value in creative markets
• Preparing for exhibitions and installations
• Presenting work through artist talks and public engagement
• Gaining insight into curatorial, gallery, and sales processes

These experiences extend beyond the Fellowship itself. Fellows leave with stronger portfolios, clearer creative direction, and practical knowledge of how art functions in professional and entrepreneurial contexts. The result is confidence, career readiness, and expanded opportunity, not just as artists, but as creative leaders prepared for what comes next.

What the Gallery Fellowship Offers

The Gallery Fellowship provides robust, hands‑on support that centers both artistic growth and professional readiness. Fellows are immersed in a creative ecosystem designed to remove barriers, elevate their work, and prepare them for long‑term success in the arts.

Program elements include:

• High‑quality mentorship led by established artists and creative professionals, including professors, curators, and arts entrepreneurs
• Free materials and resources to support experimentation and the creation of new work
• Dedicated studio space that allows Fellows to focus deeply on their creative practice
• A professionally curated group exhibition at 1001 Colors’ Your Name Here Gallery
• The opportunity to sell artwork during the exhibition, with Fellows receiving the vast majority of proceeds from sales
• Media and promotional exposure, including marketing support, digital features, and opportunities to be highlighted through 1001 Colors’ platforms and partner networks

Professional Development and Career Skills

In addition to artmaking, Gallery Fellows participate in professional development experiences that reflect the realities of working as an artist today. These sessions are led by practicing professionals and focused on skills that translate directly to future opportunities.

Fellows develop key competencies such as:

• Writing and refining an artist statement
• Documenting artwork
• Pricing artwork and understanding creative value in real markets
• Preparing and delivering an artist talk or public presentation
• Understanding exhibition planning and installation processes
• Learning best practices for presenting work to galleries, collectors, and public audiences

The Fellowship is intentionally structured to remove financial and access barriers, allowing artists to focus fully on process, growth, and experimentation. By combining mentorship, professional skills, and real‑world exposure, the Gallery Fellowship equips Fellows not just to make strong work, but to move forward with confidence, clarity, and momentum in their creative careers.

Exhibition and Community Engagement

Each Fellowship culminates in a public exhibition at the Your Name Here Gallery, 1001 Colors’ community‑centered exhibition space. This exhibition provides artists with the opportunity to present and sell their work, connect with audiences, and experience what it means to share creative work in a professional setting.

Fellows are encouraged to participate in exhibitions events, artist talks, and conversations that foster reflection, dialogue, and connection with the community.

Community, Collaboration, and Belonging

The fellowship cohort experience is intentionally collaborative. Fellows learn alongside peers, build relationships, and support one another throughout the process. The program encourages dialogue, shared problem solving, and mutual respect.

Many artists leave the fellowship with stronger networks, lasting connections, and a greater sense of belonging within the creative community.

Our Commitment to Artists

1001 Colors is committed to creating inclusive, equitable spaces where artists of all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and supported. The Gallery Fellowship reflects our belief that access to resources, platforms, and professional experience is essential for creative growth.

By centering artists’ voices, labor, and lived experience, the program helps build pathways toward sustainable creative careers.

Program Support

1001 Colors' Gallery Fellowship Program is made possible through the generous support of V2 (Sara & Michelle Vance Waddell, and Ron & David Houck-Nebel), whose investment helps remove barriers and expand access to creative opportunity for emerging artists. Their support reflects a shared commitment to creative growth, equity, and building sustainable pathways for artists.

Interested in Applying?

Gallery Fellowship opportunities are offered 4–5 times throughout the year, and artists are welcome to apply to one or multiple Fellowship cohorts. Each Fellowship offers a supported, professional environment to experiment, grow, and share your work with the public.

If you’re ready to deepen your practice, build confidence, and take the next step in your creative journey, we invite you to explore the Gallery Fellowship Program at 1001 Colors.

Eligibility, Commitment, Schedule, and Pay

• Eligibility: Must be 16-24 years old at start of program. No prior gallery or exhibition experience is required – just curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn.
• Commitment: Varies by Gallery Fellowship; typically, 8-10 hours per week (6 weeks).
• Typical schedule: Varies by Gallery Fellowship; typically weekday evenings.
• Hourly wage: This is an unpaid program. There are no wages or a stipend, however Gallery Fellows retain 75% of any sale of their work during the exhibition.

Application Instructions

To apply, complete the online application and submit portfolio materials that reflect your work and creative voice.

Portfolio Requirements

You must include 3-5 portfolio samples that show your distinct style and range as an artist.

• Combine all images into one PDF document no larger than 4MB.
• Ensure pieces are oriented correctly.
• Each piece should include title, year, artist name, measurements, and brief description.
• Upload using the additional materials button.

If you have issues with uploading through the additional materials button, please email the PDF of your portfolio samples to Grace Thanasiu atgrace@artworkscincinnati.org. Your portfolio is the most important element of your application!

Artist websites are also welcome and may be used in lieu of a PDF portfolio, if they include at least 3-5 pieces and indicate title, year, artist name, measurements, and brief description.