Citizen AI Fellowship Offers $3,000 Stipend for 2026-2027
The Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship is accepting applications until September 30, 2026. It provides a $3,000 stipend for artists and creatives to explore the intersection of art, AI, and public life.
Applications are open for the Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship for the 2026-2027 cycle. The program offers a $3,000 stipend in its first year for participants to explore the relationship between art, artificial intelligence, and public life, according to the fellowship organizers.
The fellowship aims to assemble a multigenerational group of artists and creatives from diverse disciplines and career stages. Its stated goal is to investigate connections between art, AI, emerging technologies, democracy, and community.
Fellowship Focus and Themes
The program encourages applications from creatives whose work engages with specific themes. These include community-engaged or participatory artistic practice and public art or placemaking. Other areas of interest are arts-based research, storytelling, and public dialogue.
The fellowship also seeks individuals focused on democracy, civic participation, and community voice. Applicants might explore the social, cultural, or ethical dimensions of technology. Critical or questioning perspectives on AI and emerging technologies are welcome, as are speculative or experimental approaches to technology and society. The final thematic area is community organizing, education, advocacy, or other forms of public engagement.
Financial Support and Program Structure
Financial support is structured across two years. In the first year, fellows receive a $3,000 stipend for participation in the program's core activities. This includes inquiry, co-design, community engagement, and collaborative development. Participation in additional designated workshops beyond the core commitment will be compensated separately.
The fellowship's second year is envisioned as a more intensive implementation phase. Selected participants may have opportunities for deeper involvement. This could include production, fabrication, facilitation, public programming, and implementing ideas developed in Year 1. Compensation for Year 2 will reflect the increased scope and level of engagement, the source states.
Eligibility and Applicant Profile
No academic degree or prior AI expertise is required for application. The program welcomes emerging, mid-career, and established creatives from diverse professional backgrounds. Applicants can have varying levels of familiarity with artificial intelligence and do not need to work directly with AI technologies.
Eligible creative practices are broad. They include visual art, performance, socially engaged and public art, and design. Digital media, filmmaking, creative technology, and music are also listed. Movement, fiber and textile arts, writing, storytelling, interdisciplinary practice, and other creative forms are eligible.
Applicants should demonstrate an active creative practice or sustained engagement in a creative field. They must show interest in the relationship between creativity, technology, community, democracy, and public life. Experience with or interest in collaborative, participatory, or community-engaged work is important.
The organizers seek individuals with curiosity about emerging technologies, including their possibilities and challenges. A commitment to respectful, inclusive, and ethical engagement is required. Applicants must also have the ability to participate consistently in bi-monthly fellowship meetings and collaborative activities.
Application Details
The application deadline is September 30, 2026. For more information, prospective applicants are directed to visit the official Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship page.
