Scholars may propose topics that relate to the visual arts, their history, practice, theory, or interpretation. Any proposal that contributes to understanding the nature of artistic activity and the intellectual, social, and cultural worlds with which it is connected is welcome. Attention will be given to proposals that promise to deepen, transform, or challenge those methods currently practiced within art history or that have the prospect of enhancing an understanding of the role of images in other disciplines in the humanities. All fellowships are intended to nurture a variety of disciplinary approaches and support new voices in art history.

Please consult the fellowships page to learn more about special fellowships. All fellows receive a stipend; a private apartment in a shared house neighboring the Clark; an office in the library at the Manton Research Center on the Clark campus; and the Clark arranges travel to and from the residency.

Fellows may come from any country and need not be U.S. citizens. Most fellowships are appointed for one academic semester (early September through the end of December; or early February through early June), although appointments for the entire academic year (start of September through early June) are possible. For those unable to consider such an extended period, Short-Term Clark Fellowships support summer residency (5 weeks from July to mid-August) or two-month fellowships held during the fall or spring semesters.

Application Criteria

The Clark welcomes applications from individuals with a significant professional record. Applicants should hold a PhD or demonstrate equivalent professional experience. They may be employed full- or part-time, or be independent scholars, artists, curators, and/or critics.

Typically—though not always—artists have exhibited at multiple galleries, museums, or curated spaces. Likewise, curators have curated several exhibitions; are affiliated with a museum or similar institution; or work as an independent curator with relationships across several institutions. 

For those in academic positions, the Clark neither funds dissertation work nor awards pre-doctoral or post-doctoral fellowships. Clark fellowships are not intended to support projects that transform a dissertation into a first book. 

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit all materials through the application system. A completed application includes the online form; CV; a brief abstract (500 characters max); project description (750 words); and proposed schedule for the work to be completed during the residency period (250 words). Letters of recommendation are no longer required. All materials must be submitted in English.

Please note that the Beinecke and Holly Fellows are designated by the fellowship committee. Beyond that, on the application form you may indicate your desire to be considered for multiple fellowships, marking as many as you feel correspond to the nature of your research. Final nominations for each fellowship are at the discretion of the committee.

The application portal opens to applicants in early summer and closes October 15 at 11:59 PM EST each year. All application materials must be submitted by then.

Applications are reviewed on an annual cycle following the October 15 deadline and applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by the end of March. Fellowships are awarded for the following academic year.

The Clark Fellowship application for 2025–2026 is now closed. 

Please check back on July 1, 2025 to apply for the next cycle.