FAQ for Artists and Hosts

A: Yes, artists from any country may apply.

A: Yes, artists from any artistic discipline/practice may apply. This includes visual artists, filmmakers, writers, theater artists, performance artists, composers, musicians, choreographers, traditional artists, etc.

A: You must be 21 years or older to apply.

A: Any threat of persecution or violence due to an artist’s practice, identity, or beliefs would qualify. This includes intimidation, harassment, repression, censorship, unjust punishment and violence arising out of an artist’s work, and/or exercise of their fundamental human rights. APF may also make a limited number of awards to artists facing general insecurity, instability, or civil conflict that affects the whole population of a country or region.

A: No, the APF does not award fellowships based on financial need alone, and it does not fund individual art projects and/or programs. 

A: No, APF does not award fellowships to students seeking financial support to continue their academic studies.

A: APF does not award fellowships for degree-granting programs or to artists whose primary purpose is to continue their graduate training.

A: The quality and extent of an applicant’s accomplishments in the arts are an important factor in the review of their application.

A: No, preference is given to applicants with advanced ability in the language of the host country/institution.

A: No, an artist may be considered for a fellowship regardless of their legal or immigration status; however, if an artist holds legal status in a safe country outside their home country, this will be considered in the overall review of an application. During the fellowship period, an artist will need the appropriate legal or immigration status to work in their host country.

A: Yes, applicants may apply from any location. Priority is given to applicants who face immediate security threats.

A: Given the limits on available resources for fellowships, priority is given to candidates who have been displaced or in exile for less than two years.

A: Yes, the APF supports awarded Fellows’ spouses as well as children under the age of 18. No pets of any kind are allowed or included.

A: Yes, artist collectives are encouraged to apply, although each artist is required to submit an individual application.

A: APF Fellowships are for up to one year.

A: Complete application cases that successfully meet APF requirements are prepared for submission to the APF Selection Committee. The Committee meets no more than twice a year; therefore, applicants should consider that they may not receive a formal decision on their application for six months or more, depending on the timing of their submission.

A: APF is not an emergency relocation program. Successfully awarded Fellows may need to await host institution placement for 6-12 months upon notification of their APF award. Placement times can also vary depending on the uncertain nature of visa processing worldwide.

A: In most cases, Fellowship awards are disbursed to the selected host institution, to be administered to the Fellow in the form of a stipend.

A: Host partners may be identified by APF staff, awarded Fellows, or interested and participating host institutions. APF staff evaluates individual placement on a case-by-case basis, and assesses many factors including the Fellow’s language ability in the host institution country, accessibility of legal immigration methods, availability of key mentorship teams, and opportunity for the Fellow to evolve their practice and network. APF reserves the right to determine final placement for the awarded Fellow.

A: Interested hosts including academic institutions, cultural centers, arts organizations or residencies in any safe country can reach out to APF@iie.org for more information about hosting. The host institution is an essential collaborator, providing the APF Fellow with professional and personal support during the Fellowship, including matching the APF financial support with substantive in-kind resources such as housing, studio space, materials/supplies, and access to programming and networking opportunities.

A: Host institutions are required to match the APF financial grant with various types of in-kind and/or financial support, including visa sponsorship, housing, studio space, materials/supplies, and access to programming and networking. Beyond providing this elemental support, APF also asks that hosts take a vital role in ensuring the overall wellbeing of an APF Fellow in residence through frequent access to mentoring, personal and professional guidance, and social services, as needed.

A: APF always welcomes conversations from institutions evaluating their capacity to host an APF Fellow in residence. We frequently explore an extension of local collaboration in a host institution’s region if the key host is not able to independently provide adequate in-kind support.

A: In almost all circumstances, visa sponsorship is a key requirement for host institutions.

A: Fellows should be an integral part of campus or community life—and in some cases, be involved in an instructional or lecturing capacity, depending on the artist and institution involved. APF welcomes applications from emerging, mid-, and late-career artists. Mid- and late-career artists are usually best suited for teaching masterclasses or occupying visiting artist/lecturer positions, and if this is an important element for the host institution’s participation, APF staff can explore specific details accordingly.