Oak Spring Fellowship For Distinction In Fine Crafts and Design (Due May 31)
Oak Spring Fellowship For Distinction In Fine Crafts and Design
Deadline: May 31st, 2026
In 2027, Oak Spring will award its inaugural Fine Crafts and Design Fellowship to an early-career craftsperson or designer whose work demonstrates exceptional skill, artistic vision, and meaningful engagement with the natural world. This fellowship celebrates the intersection where form meets function, while honoring the aesthetics, material integrity, and craftsmanship at the heart of fine craft and design. The fellowship is intent- and inspiration-focused, rather than outcome-focused, meaning that we seek artists whose work is consistent with the objectives of the fellowship, without an expectation that they complete a prescribed project while at Oak Spring.
This fellowship is generously supported by Tiffany & Co. in honor of their lasting association with Mrs. Mellon and especially with the jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger.
The fellowship also honors the legacy of our founder Rachel “Bunny” Mellon – an avid gardener, patron, and collector – whose discerning eye and deep appreciation for exquisite design are reflected in her collaborations with artists such as Jean Schlumberger, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Diego Giacometti. Ideal applicants will demonstrate a commitment to material exploration, sustainability, and/or reimagining traditional techniques in innovative ways.
We welcome applicants working in a range of materials-based practices, including but not limited to:
Fiber and textiles (natural dyes, weaving, felting, embroidery, quilting)
Wearable design (e.g., shoe design, hat making, crafted wearables)
Metalworking
Jewelry
Woodworking
Furniture design
Basketry
Glass
Ceramics
Decorative arts
Paper and book arts
The selected Fellow will receive a $10,000 grant and a 2–5 week residency at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in northern Virginia. The residency is intended to support time for studio practice, research, and reflection in a setting rich in inspiring natural beauty and vibrant cultural history.
The Fellow will reside alongside other interdisciplinary residents and fellows, with opportunities to share meals, explore Oak Spring’s gardens and collections, and engage with staff and peers across disciplines. These interactions enrich the residency experience and foster dialogue among artists, ecologists, scholars, and cultural practitioners. Fellows are also invited, but not required, to share their work in an informal presentation at the conclusion of their stay.