Aminah Robinson Fellowship

The Aminah Robinson Fellowship is an initiative of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), in partnership with the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA), created to honor and extend the legacy of the late artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson. This fellowship provides a 90-day residency opportunity accompanied by an unrestricted $15,000 award to a professional African American visual artist living in Franklin County, Ohio. The program underscores Aminah Robinson’s lifelong dedication to storytelling, cultural heritage, and the African American experience, particularly emphasizing the role and legacy of African American women in art and society. The primary purpose of the fellowship is to give a local artist the financial stability and focused time to develop their work while immersed in the creative environment once occupied by Aminah herself. In addition to the financial award, the artist gains daily access to Aminah Robinson's home studio in the Shepard neighborhood of Columbus. This unique residency space is considered a sacred historical site and must be treated respectfully—no pets or smoking are allowed inside, and the studio is solely for personal artistic use. The artist is also expected to participate in at least one public outreach activity such as a workshop, lecture, or demonstration coordinated by the CMA. Eligible applicants must be 18 years or older, self-identify as African American, and reside in Franklin County. They must be active, working visual artists with a body of work, professional experience, and engagement in public sharing of their art. Media types eligible include painting, 2D and 3D works, sculpture, fiber arts with a focus on found and natural materials, and photography. Notably, video, film, and digital installations are not eligible. Artists must also produce work rooted in storytelling, cultural traditions, and the African American female experience. Collaborative applications and currently enrolled undergraduate students are not eligible. The application process opens on August 1, 2025, and closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 2, 2025. Interested applicants must submit a completed application via the SmartSimple portal, including a PDF resume or artistic bio, 3–5 work samples (with title, size, date, and medium), and an optional website link. The application must address questions about the applicant's interest in the fellowship, alignment with Aminah Robinson’s principles, and their intended outcomes for the residency. Applications are reviewed by a jury including GCAC and CMA representatives, members from Aminah’s community, and Ohio-based artists and curators familiar with her legacy. Finalist notifications will be sent via email by October 3, 2025. The fellowship will run from January 1 to March 31, 2026. A final report is due by May 1, 2026, and the award payment will be distributed in two parts—75% upon signing the grant agreement and the remaining 25% after submission of the final report. Recipients must acknowledge GCAC and CMA in all related publicity and are encouraged to publicly thank Columbus and Franklin County officials for their support of the arts. Key contacts for questions include Deidre Hamlar for program inquiries and Alison Barret for administrative issues.

Applications are judged on storytelling, cultural heritage, connection to Aminah’s style, and technical proficiency.