Bay Area Black Artist
Studio Fellowship

Application Deadline Sunday, May 17, 2026

Root Division is currently seeking applicants for the 2026-27 Bay Area Black Artist Studio Fellowship. Application process includes submitting completed Fellowship Application Form and required materials. Finalists must be available between June 8-12, 2025 for interviews.

DIGITAL APPLICATION FORM

ABOUT THE BAY AREA BLACK ARTIST STUDIO FELLOWSHIP

Now entering its seventh year, the Bay Area Black Artist Studio Fellowship (BABASF) offers a unique residency designed for an emerging artist who is passionate about the intersection of art and K-12 pedagogy. This fellowship provides a rent-free studio workspace  and a monetary stipend in exchange for a dedicated commitment to Root Division’s Youth Education Program. 

The core of this fellowship is a year-long Teaching-Artist Residency. This Fellow will serve as a lead educator at of our K-12 partner school sites, bridging the gap between professional studio practice and classroom learning. 

THE OPPORTUNITY: Teaching & Service

The fellow will act as a mentor and a lead instructor for the full academic year, developing a specialized curriculum that empowers K-12 Students to explore storytelling, social justice, and identity through art-making.

Primary Responsibilities: 

  • Lead instruction: Facilitate two afternoon art classes per week at a partner(s) K-12 school site. 
  • Curriculum Development: Design and implement a structured, year-long syllabus that guides students through artistic techniques while addressing the “world happening around them.” 
  •  Social Justice Integration: Utilize art as a tool for inquiry, helping youth navigate community stories and contemporary social frameworks. 
  • Community Engagement: Potentially lead workshops for other educators or develop media projects that highlight student voices

FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS 

  • In exchange for this service contribution and program involvement, the artist will receive:
  • Free studio workspace for 12 months in our Studios Program facility located at 1131 Mission Street, SF. (Value of ~$6,000; 24-hour access workspace including all utilities/WiFi). 
  • Fellowship Stipend of $5,000 (distributed via quarterly milestones).
  • Meetings with a co-selected mentor in the field
  • Exhibition Opportunities: Priority access to exhibit in Root Division’s gallery/project space 
  • Peer Network: Full integration into a community of over 30 Bay Area Artists, including professional development resources and committee involvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong candidates…

  • Demonstrate Studio Excellence: Maintain a committed, high quality independent art practice 
  • K-12 Experience: Have at least one year of experience teaching or facilitating creative programming for youth (classroom, or after-school settings). 
  • Collaborative Spirit: Are eager to work with school administrators, site coordinators, and Root Division staff to ensure student success.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Have reliable transportation to and plan to make regular use of a studio at our location in SOMA, San Francisco, CA

COMMITMENT

The awarded fellow is expected to contribute an average of 16 hours per month to the organization from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. This includes: 

  • Instruction & prep: Developing and teaching a minimum of 1-2 weekday afternoons per week the K-12 curriculum from September 2026 to May 2027 
  • Studio Practice: Regular active use of the studio space. 
  • Community Growth: Attendance to Monthly All-Artist Meetings (one Wednesday evening per month) 
  • Institutional Support: Assisting with our two fundraiser events, our Art Auction (Oct 2026) & Spring event (Apr 2027). 

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Application Materials

Please complete the Digital Application Form, attaching the below documents:

1.  Cover Letter (PDF 1 page max): Please introduce yourself. Tell us why you are interested in this fellowship and the Root Division community. What do you hope to gain and how do you hope to contribute?

2.  Artist resume and/or Professional resume. (PDF 1-2 page max)

3.  Examples of your artwork (up to 5  images), with a corresponding image info.

4.  Artist Statement about your artwork (as seen in images submitted).

5. Examples of student work Images from 2-3 successful projects in which you worked with children or youth. 

6. Two examples of lesson plans for art projects, indicating the grade level(s), between K-12. A strong teaching portfolio includes culturally responsive curriculum/lessons.

The application process includes submitting completed Fellowship Application Form and required materials. Finalists must be available June 8-12, 2026 for interviewing with Root Division’s Artist Selection Committee.

  • QUESTIONS: Email Tamara Berdichevsky, Education Programs Manager at classes@rootdivision.org or call 415.863.7668.

OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT & LEARN MORE

We encourage fellowship applicants to learn more about Root Division…

  • VISIT: Join us for 2nd Saturday events to see our public programming space and meet our community.

ABOUT ROOT DIVISION:

Root Division is a visual arts non-profit located in San Francisco’s Mid-Market/SoMA District. Root Division’s mission is to empower artists, promote community service, inspire youth, and enrich the Bay Area through engagement in the visual arts. At Root Division, we are committed to creating and supporting an inclusive, accessible organization that intentionally brings together diverse groups of artists and audiences. We condemn and do not tolerate racist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, sexist, or xenophobic attitudes, structures, or behaviors.

* The Bay Area Black Artist Studio Fellowship (BABASF) is supported in part by a grant from the Redtail Fund of Oregon Community Foundation.

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