Application Process
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
The Masters Fellowship is open to early-career representational painters of all backgrounds, working in any subject matter within the broad representational tradition. Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
- Have completed at least a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have demonstrable technical proficiency and conceptual motivation through a portfolio of work
- Be able to commit to full-time residency in Seattle for the duration of the two-year program - we are not, at this time, able to sponsor student or work visas for foreign applicants
Fellows will be selected by an independent jury of accomplished representational painters and arts professionals, who will evaluate candidates based on a holistic assessment of their portfolio, written statements, recommendations, and interviews. The jury will consider factors such as:
- Mastery of technical skills including drawing, value, color, composition, and paint handling
- Originality and clarity of artistic vision and conceptual motivations
- Dedication to the classical realist tradition and the humanist values it represents
- Potential for significant artistic and professional growth and impact
- Openness to and desire for critical feedback
- Collaborative spirit
The MAA is committed to building a diverse cohort of Fellows that represents a range of identities, experiences, and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, geographic, and disability backgrounds.
The Masters Academy of Art expressly prohibits discrimination and/or harassment on the basis, actual or perceived, of ability, age, citizenship status, color, creed, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other category protected in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.
Application Materials
A complete application consists of:
- A portfolio of 5-10 examples of your best representational paintings and drawings from the past 2-3 years. Submit high-quality digital images (up to 5MB each)
- A short biography highlighting your artistic training, exhibitions, publications, and other relevant professional experience
- Artist statement describing your practice, influences, and goals including a statement of interest in the Masters Fellowship, including how it would impact your artistic and professional development and how you would contribute to the MAA's mission
- Contact information for 2-3 professional references (teachers, mentors, supervisors, etc.) who can speak to your artistic abilities and character. References will be contacted directly by the MAA staff following an initial review of application materials.
Finalists will be invited for a remote interview with members of the selection committee, and may be asked to provide additional materials such as sketchbooks, source photographs, or in-progress works.
Timeline and Deadlines
Applications for the 2025-2026 Masters Fellowship must be received on or before March 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed by our artistic committee. There are three rounds of application reviews. The first round will be judged solely from the submitted information. Applicants will be notified by March 20, 2025 via email if they have been denied or accepted to the second round. Applications that advance to the second round will be contacted to schedule an interview either in person or via Zoom. Interviews must be scheduled and completed before March 30. Notice of final acceptance or denial of the Fellowship will be sent by April 10, 2025. Fellowship recipients must sign and return their official Fellowship offer by April 20, 2025, or their position as Fellows may be forfeit and offered to another applicant. Fellows can begin to move into their studios October 1, 2025 and are expected to be in the studios ready to paint for the first day of the Semester on October 6, 2025. A welcome party will be held the night of Friday, October 3 for all incoming Fellows.
Application Deadline - March 15, 2025
The admissions timeline is as follows:
- January 1, 2025: Applications are open
- March 15, 2025: Application deadline
- March 20, 2025: Applicants are notified on their denial or advancement to the second round
- March 20-30, 2025: Applicants who have advanced to the second round must complete an in-person or via Zoom interview
- April 10, 2025: Notice of final acceptance or denial
- April 20, 2025: Fellowship offer must be signed and returned to the MAA
- October 1, 2025: Studio move-in
- October 3, 2025: Opening Reception Party for incoming Fellows
- October 6, 2025: Fellowship begins
2025-26 Fellowship Year Calendar
- Fall Quarter: October 6 - December 12, 2025 (11 weeks)
- Break - December 13, 2025 - January 4, 2026 (3 weeks)
- Winter Quarter: January 5 - March 20, 2026 (11 weeks)
- Break - March 21 - 29 (1 week)
- Spring Quarter: March 30 - June 5, 2026 (11 weeks)
- Break - June 6 - 14 (1 week)
- Summer Quarter: June 15 - August 28, 2026 (11 weeks)
- Break - August 29 - October 4, 2026 (5 weeks)
