The mission of the Trenton Arts Fellowship, cosponsored by Mercer County Community College (MCCC) and Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, is to support local Trenton artists by providing studio space on the MCCC Trenton campus, resources, programming opportunities, mentorship, and research funds, in order to assist the artists in creating impactful work that would engage with the Trenton community.
This mission is based on the conviction that exposure to the arts helps us to make sense of our lives and the lives of our neighbors. We pursue this mission by bringing together a vibrant community of people with different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and artistic practices.
The Trenton Arts Fellowship will be given to visual artists of exceptional promise to pursue independent projects at Mercer County Community College’s Trenton campus during the academic year. The Trenton Arts Fellowship is designed to provide Fellows with time and studio space to undertake significant new work. In this inaugural year of the Trenton Arts Fellowship, one Trenton artist will be named the Trenton Arts Fellow for 2026-27.
A $10,000 stipend/research fund is provided for this 10-month fellowship (September-June). The stipend/research fund is to serve two purposes – up to half may be used toward living expenses and the remainder for materials and research connected to their work.
Fellows will be able to identify themselves as Mercer County Community College-Princeton Lewis Center for the Arts Trenton Arts Fellows, and may be listed on MCCC/LCA’s websites, etc. Fellows’ formal appointment is with MCCC. Fellows will have access to both MCCC and Princeton University resources.
This fellowship is committed to fostering an academic environment that acknowledges and encourages community.
Requirements:
Fellows will have the opportunity to take part in workshops, conversations, open studios, and/or exhibitions in the MCCC gallery space.
Eligibility:
The Trenton Arts Fellowship opportunity is open to all individuals, without regard to identity or other protected characteristics. Trenton Arts Fellowship applicants must be living and working in the city of Trenton. (Proof of a Trenton, NJ mailing address may be required.)
Applicants must not be enrolled in an institutional program of study, during the fellowship period. (Applicants may be in school during the application process.)
Fellowships are not intended to fund work leading to a degree.
To apply, please submit via the online form here by Decamber 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT):
Up to 20 still images OR up to 10 minutes of video OR up to 10 still images and 5 minutes of video. Video can represent one work or excerpts; provide cue points if including a link to a longer work.
Please upload your work samples as a single PDF by compiling all images and text in a single PDF. You may also create a single PDF that contains links to the files on any reputable file sharing site, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, etc. Provide access passwords, if necessary.
We cannot confirm receipt of applications, nor can we accept applications submitted after the deadline.
Please apply by December 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
For more information or questions, you can reach us by email at trentonartsfellowship@mccc.edu .
September 1, 2025 - Application process opens
September 20, 2025 - Open House (12-4 p.m.) During Art All Day in Trenton
Location: Mercer County Community College’s Trenton campus in Trenton Hall, 137 North Broad St.
JKC Gallery in Trenton Hall will be open showing artist Dana Stirling’s exhibition, Why Am I Sad
12 p.m. reception/light refreshments
1 p.m. Brief review of the application requirements/Q&A
1:30 p.m. MCCC faculty member Michael Chovan-Dalton will host a workshop on the third floor of Trenton Hall that will share a few options for successfully photographing artwork for a portfolio. Emphasis will be on the fundamentals of making the image square in the frame, troubleshooting formatting, color, and lighting. He will also touch upon basic Photoshop editing. Michael has a good deal of experience reviewing portfolios and will integrate his experience into his presentation.
December 1, 2025 - Application deadline, 11:59 p.m. (EDT)
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of faculty and staff of Mercer County Community College, Lewis Center the Arts/Princeton University, and Artworks Trenton
March 2026 - Inaugural 2026-27 Trenton Arts Fellow announced
September 1, 2026 - 10-month fellowship begins .