The 2026 AIM Fellowship Application Deadline Extended!
THE 2026 AIM FELLOWSHIP ©:
The Bronx Museum’s Annual Professional Development Program For Artists Based In NYC
Application Opens:
Monday, September 15, 2025
Application Deadline Extended To:
Sunday, November 2, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET
Original Deadline:
Sunday, October 26, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET
Fellowship Schedule:
First Half: February – June 2026
Summer Break: July & August 2026
Second Half: September – December 2026
Fellows meet on Tuesdays from 6–9 PM at The Bronx Museum
Image: The 2024 AIM Convening. Photo by Argenis Apolinario.
ABOUT AIM ©
Founded in 1980, the AIM Fellowship (formerly known as the “Artist in Marketplace ©” Fellowship) is The Bronx Museum’s flagship incubator and career accelerator program for the most promising artists based in NYC.
14 artists are selected for the program annually through a competitive application process. AIM Fellows are awarded a nine-month practicum led by a distinguished faculty of experts who cover finance, law, media management, and writing, among other subjects vital to maintaining and growing a successful career as an artist.
The Fellowship concludes with the annual AIM Convening at The Bronx Museum. Collaboratively organized by the outgoing cohort of AIM Fellows, the AIM Convening positions the outgoing Fellows as professional development experts, helps artists outside the AIM program access valuable information and resources for succeeding in the art world, and builds community among artists in New York City.
Although AIM is not a studio program, The Bronx Museum seeks to highlight and uplift the artwork of artists who completed the Fellowship through a dedicated biennial exhibition accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue.
Eligibility
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
- Must apply individually—applications from partnerships, collectives, and other groups are not accepted.
- Must be an artist with 2-10 years of actively creating and presenting new and original work in the field of visual arts who has yet to be widely recognized within their field, the media, or the public at large.
- Must be an NYC resident at time of application and throughout the program term.
- Cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program in any discipline concurrent to the Fellowship.
- Cannot be enrolled in a professional development program concurrent to the Fellowship.
- Cannot be a current employee of The Bronx Museum or an immediate family member or employee of a Bronx Museum board member.
- Cannot be represented by a commercial gallery (either in or outside of the U.S.)
- Due to regulations governing the distribution of stipend, honoraria, and wage payments, enrollment is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Guidelines
- Applicants must complete this form via submittable: bronxmuseum.submittable.com/2025-bronx-museum-aim-fellowship
- Please read the instructions carefully; only complete applications will be considered.
- Applicants are asked to submit 6 artworks (no more than 3 years old) that best represent their artistic practice.
- Semi-finalists must be available to meet for an in-person group interview with the selection committee at The Bronx Museum in Fall 2025.
- Selected artists must be available to attend Fellowship meetings and activities for the duration of the program.
- Please note that the AIM Fellowship is not a studio program and studio space is not provided.
First Half: Career Foundations
February – June, 2026
Tuesdays, 6–9 PM
At The Bronx Museum
• The Art Market
• The Artist Statement
• The Artist’s Studio
• Career Planning
• Communication Strategies
• The Curator/Artist Relationship
• Financial Literacy
• Funding Opportunities for Artists
• Legal Issues in Art
Second Half: Career Development
September – December, 2026
Tuesdays, 6–9 PM
At The Bronx Museum
• Studio Visits
• Portfolio Reviews
• Peer-led sessions
• Guest Artist Visits
• Career Planning
• Exhibition Preparation & Time Management
• Working with Institutions, Big & Small
• Audience Development
• Community Art Practice
• Artist Archives
• Documentation & Presentation