The Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence

The Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence is an annual grant program offered by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF), a private nonprofit organization based in Upperville, Virginia. OSGF is committed to supporting artistic, scientific, and scholarly work that deepens the public's understanding of plants, gardens, landscapes, and the natural world. The Foundation honors the legacy of Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, whose estate, garden, and rare botanical library form the centerpiece of its programming. Through its various residencies and fellowships, OSGF seeks to inspire creative dialogue and scholarly work centered on environmental and botanical themes. The Eliza Moore Fellowship specifically targets early-career artists across various disciplines—visual arts, literary arts, dance, and music—who are producing new works that interpret or explore plants, gardens, and landscapes. Each year, one Fellow is awarded a $10,000 individual grant and a 2–5 week on-site residency at OSGF’s 700-acre estate. During their stay, the Fellow is granted access to the Oak Spring Library, which houses over 19,000 botanical art and rare book objects, as well as opportunities to interact with staff and engage in optional communal, volunteer, and educational activities. These may include field trips, meals with other residents, volunteering in the gardens or the Biodynamic Community and Conservation Farm (BCCF), and one-on-one consultations with staff. However, Fellows are given full autonomy to structure their time as they see fit. The $10,000 grant may be used for travel to and from the site, supplies, and other work-related expenses. Fellows are housed in shared but well-appointed accommodations with private bedrooms and bathrooms and shared kitchens and living spaces. Travel arrangements are coordinated by OSGF from Dulles International Airport. Though optional, Fellows are encouraged to give a 20–30 minute presentation of their work to staff and other participants during their stay. Eligible applicants must be early-career artists who are not enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in 2027. OSGF defines early-career artists as individuals who have demonstrated professional recognition—such as through exhibitions, commissions, performances, grants, or publications—but who have not yet attained widespread recognition or produced a substantial body of solo work. Applicants must also be self-directed, show exceptional promise, and exhibit a clear connection between their artistic practice and the natural world. The application period for all of OSGF’s 2027 residencies, including the Eliza Moore Fellowship, opens on February 14, 2026 and closes on May 31, 2026. There is one consolidated application for all residencies; applicants will be asked to specify their program preferences. Required materials include a two-page resume or CV, two short statements (200–300 words each) on the applicant’s artistic practice and its alignment with OSGF’s mission, and samples of their work. Submission formats vary by discipline: visual artists must submit 5–10 images; writers must provide 7–10 pages; and time-based artists must submit 10 minutes of material. Poets and playwrights may submit up to 10 pages. Fellows are selected through a multi-round review process involving staff, alumni, and external jurors, who evaluate applications based on the alignment of the artist’s work with OSGF’s mission, overall potential, and the quality of their submitted materials. Selected Fellows will be scheduled to attend alongside other interdisciplinary residents on one of the following start dates in 2027: March 1, April 25 (max 3 weeks), May 24, July 12, August 29 (max 3 weeks), or October 4. While the program is highly competitive and individualized feedback cannot be provided, OSGF continues to support inclusive access to the arts regardless of background or identity.

Clearly demonstrate how your work connects to the natural world and OSGF's mission; align artist statement with botanical/environmental focus.