2026 FELLOWSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE PROGRAM (FIPP)
The transformative year-long mentorship program includes a $5,500 honorarium and culminates in a solo exhibition at DORF in Fall 2026.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who applied!
There is no application fee. DORF Open Calls are—and will always be—free to apply
Early-career artists, 21 years or older, living and working in Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Williamson Counties are eligible to apply.
If you would like to receive this application translated to Spanish, please reach out via email.
Si desea solicitar una aplicación en español, por favor envíenos un correo electrónico.
There is no application fee. DORF open calls are, and will always be FREE to apply. This is an online application process only. Applications will not be accepted by postal mail or email.
“Being the 2025 inaugural FIPP Fellow has been truly life-changing. I found a supportive space to share my work, grow as an artist and have the chance to work alongside incredible people while being part of a community that truly cares. This experience has shaped me not just as an artist but as a person and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!”
2025 FiPP recipient Intel Lastierre. Photo by Jinni J.
The selected FiPP artist will receive an unrestricted honorarium of $5,000 from DORF and an additional $500 from Mid-America Arts Alliance, totalling $5,500 to help support their work.
HONORARIUM
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
FiPP has three main components:
A Solo Exhibition at DORF – Fall 2026
Professional Development and peer networking through a DORF’s partnership with the Mid-America Arts Alliance Artist Leadership Fellowship Program — January 26–March 30, 2026
Ongoing year-long support during 2026
The DORF Fellowship in Professional Practice (FiPP) is a year-long mentorship program designed to collaborate with an early-career artist through every step of planning, producing, curating, marketing, and programming their solo exhibition at DORF. This exhibition will take place in Fall 2026.
In addition to this milestone exhibition, the selected artist will join the 2026 Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) Artist Leadership Fellowship (ALF) cohort. This nomination-based, transformative program hones the professional skills of emerging artist leaders across the region, offering unparalleled growth and networking opportunities.
SOLO EXHIBITION
The artist will receive a solo exhibition at DORF’s Zilker location at 218 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas in Fall 2026
Bi-monthly meetings with DORF leadership, guest artists, and curators to discuss the artist's work, career, studio updates, and exhibit concepts
Full DORF Marketing and Promotion suite provided for artist’s exhibit, including support with:
Exhibition design and statement
Visual and design identity of the exhibition
Artist exhibition landing page on the DORF website
Video documentation produced with the artist discussing work and exhibition
Comprehensive documentation including installation, individual artwork, and event photography
Press campaign including the creation of custom pitches and story ideas for target media outlets, postcards, promotional mailings to DORF email subscribers, and social media campaign
Installation views of Infernal Rebirth into Hell: Illusions and Realities, A Solo Presentation of New Work by Intel Lastierre, 2025 FiPP recipient. Images courtesy the artist.
M-AAA ARTIST LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS
Eight-week professional development program in which artists meet virtually on Mondays from 4:00–6:30 PM (see detailed timeline below)
M-AAA ALF Fellows will leave the program with a cross-discipline, geographically broad network of peer artists, the strategic framework to manage enduring artistic careers, and the tools to serve as facilitators and mentors to others in their home communities across M-AAA’s region and beyond
Fellows gain access to additional revenue streams through M-AAA Artist Services programs; and artist professional development facilitation (both through M-AAA and with organizations in their communities)
Learn more at Mid-America Arts Alliance!
+ POST-FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT
FiPP alumni receive continued support through:
Ongoing mentorship through consultations with DORF and M-AAA leadership and network
Access to revenue streams through M-AAA Artist Services programs; and artist professional development facilitation (both through M-AAA and with DORF)
Personal invitations to all future openings and events
Invitation to join future Selection Panels to help us shape and improve the FiPP program for future cohorts
TIMELINE
FIPP PROGRAM
Open Call and Artist Selection:
November 4, 2025: Open call opens
November 13, 2025 | 6:00–7:00 pm: FiPP info meeting (virtual) RSVP
November 15, 2025 | 5:00-6:00 pm: FiPP info meeting (in person at DORF) RSVP
December 5, 2025: (11:59 pm CST): Application Deadline
December 15, 2025 (week of): Selection Panel Convening
December 19, 2025: Finalist notified; Enters Contract
Spring/Summer 2026:
Bi-monthly studio visits with DORF and visiting artists and curators
FiPP Solo Exhibition: Fall 2026
Other programming during the run of the exhibition, TBD
M-AAA ARTIST LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP (ALF)
Virtual Meetings with cohort:
Monday, January 26, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Monday, February 2, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Monday, February 9, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Skip February 16, 2026, Presidents’ Day
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Monday, March 2, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Monday, March 9, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Skip March 16, 2026 for spring break and SXSW
Monday, March 23, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Monday, March 30, 2026 | 4:00–6:30 pm
Please note: Selected artist must be available to attend at least 7 out of 8 Mid-America Arts Alliance Artist Leadership Fellowship meetings and be available for bi-monthly studio visits with DORF. Contact DORF with any accessibility needs or exemptions.
SELECTION PROCESS
The 2026 DORF FiPP Recipient will be chosen by a Selection Panel comprised of Annette Carlozzi, Independent Curator; Eepi Chaad, Artist, and Artist Services Program Manager at Mid-America Arts Alliance; Alexis Hunter, DORF Advisory Council Member, Artist and Educator; Intel Lastierre, Artist and inaugural FiPP Fellow; Emmy Laursen, DORF Board Member, Curator of Public Programs at The Contemporary Austin, Holistic Psychotherapist; Eric Manche, Founder and Creative Director at DORF, Artist and Filmmaker; Paloma Mayorga, DORF Board Member, Mexican American interdisciplinary Artist and Independent Curator; Sara Vanderbeek, Founder, Executive Director and Curator at DORF, Artist and Consultant.
The Selection Panel will review applications received through this open call and determine the selected artist based on a rubric co-created by the Panel. The rubric is created based on the qualifications outlined below.
QUALIFICATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
Early-career artists, 21 years or older, living and working in Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Williamson Counties may apply
Artists must have the schedule availability and interest to participate in M-AAA ALF Program
Currently enrolled students are not eligible
ARTISTIC QUALIFICATIONS
Strong artistic voice and abilities displayed in the Artist's portfolio
Proven ability to execute complex ideas through artistic projects
Produces work and explores subject matter that aligns with DORF’s values of openness, intention, expression, and community.
Strong conceptual skills with innovative and effective approaches demonstrated in creative projects
Effective communication and project management skills
Completeness of application
CULTURAL EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS
DORF is committed to serving artists at immediate risk of cultural erasure and displacement within Austin and aforementioned surrounding counties or who have been institutionally marginalized, under-funded, and/or historically underrepresented.
DORF MISSION AND VALUES
The Mission of DORF is to build a village of artists, advocates, and innovators.
Our Core Values: Village - We are building a platform for creative support that is welcoming, inclusive and responsive to our community’s needs; Expression - Creativity is a fundamental human and societal experience. We value experimentation, failure, and process as essential parts of creativity and exploratory problem solving; Intention - No art is neutral, it is either transforming or upholding the status quo.* Intention cultivates purpose, mindfulness, and accountability in our actions, guiding us towards meaningful and positive outcomes; Uplift - We make choices that elevate individual artists and communities. We believe artists should be valued for their labor and knowledge, and resources should be shared; Openness - We connect curious minds with ideas, opportunities and resources for personal and professional growth. We embrace vulnerability and honesty through unfettered creative expression; Voice - We hold space for individual and collective voices to advocate for change, speak truth to lies and inspire others to build a richer, more connective global dialogue.
* Adrienne Maree Brown, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds.
ADDITIONAL
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Work Samples (5–10) Submit JPG or PNG files (no larger than 3MB each). For video work, submit MOV or MP4 files. If your video is longer than 3 minutes, please provide timestamps indicating the section(s) you’d like us to review.
Name files using the following convention: 01_ArtistName, 02_ArtistName, and so on. List works on your Image List in the same order.
If you are including a written proposal, you may also use some of your images to help visualize your concept or proposed project.Image list with images formatted as: Image file number. Artist Name, title of work, year made, media, dimensions.
Example: 01. Jane Doe, Autonomy Now, 2024, dye on paper, 20” x 24
Artist Statement – 500 words or less
Current Bio – 150 words or less
How do you envision this fellowship impacting your practice? Do you have an exhibition or project proposal in mind? Please share how you plan to utilize the resources provided through FiPP and the Mid-America Arts Alliance partnership. Your response might take the form of a specific proposal or outline the broader ways these opportunities could support and expand your artistic practice.
Resume/CV – a current resume or CV (no more than 3 pages) (PDF)
References – two references. Please include name, title or relationship to artist, email, and phone number
OTHER REQUIREMENTS/DETAILS
Available to attend at least 7 out of 8 Mid-America Arts Alliance Artist Leadership Fellowship meetings
Available for bi-monthly check-ins with DORF Program Team on the progress of the solo exhibition
Artwork included in the exhibition must be available to stay in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition
DORF will insure artwork while in our care
Artists are responsible for the transportation of artwork to and from DORF
Art Sales:
Option to have artwork available for sale during the run of the exhibition
Art sales will be split 70/30, with the selected artist receiving 70%, and DORF receiving 30%
DORF is available to provide consultation on artwork pricing
ABOUT DORF
DORF was founded in 2018 with a mission to build a village of artists, advocates, and innovators. DORF’s values of openness, intention, expression, and community have guided its programming, which includes exhibitions that tackle social justice, amplify marginalized voices, and foster meaningful dialogues.
We have received recognition in publications like Texas Monthly, Sightlines Magazine, The Austin Chronicle, Glasstire, Southwest Contemporary, and more, and received “Best New Experimental Art Gallery” in The Austin Chronicle.
For more information, contact us at dorf@dorfworld.org.
EXHIBITION SPACE
DORF is a 1,063 square feet gallery space with floor-to-ceiling windows on the front two walls of the space, 14’ ceilings, track lighting, and two moveable walls. Projectors, media players, and sound equipment are available. The floor plan, renderings and photos of the space can be found here.
PARKING:
Paid parking is available in the Zilker Point garage (near DORF entrance on Toomey Road) at $5/hour (max $30). Additional public paid parking is available along Toomey Road west of the building.
ACCESSIBILITY
ADA accessible parking is available at Zilker Point garage, with elevator access to DORF. DORF is also accessible via S. Lamar Blvd’s sidewalks.
DORF’s gallery is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. Onsite restrooms are wheelchair accessible with baby changing stations.
Service animals and friendly animals of most kinds are welcome at DORF!
Please check in at the Reception Desk or email us with questions or for assistance.
DORF:
218 South Lamar Blvd.
Suite 140
Austin, Texas, 78704.
THANK YOU!
Thank you in advance for your submission! We greatly appreciate your interest and support of this program.
For information on all of the work we do at DORF, please see our past projects. Any questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch: dorf@dorfworld.org.
Acknowledgements
This program is supported in part by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation(EHTF), City of Austin Economic Development Department, and Mid-America Arts Alliance.
