MacColl Johnson Fellowship for Composers (2026)

Once every three years the MacColl Johnson Fellowships come round to composers, and 2026 is that year. Up to three composers receive $30,000 each, unrestricted — the money is yours to spend on whatever moves your practice forward, whether that is time to write, equipment, travel or training in a new technique. Three further applicants are named finalists and receive a $1,000 stipend.

You must have lived in Rhode Island for the 12 months before the deadline, be resident when you apply, and remain so through the fellowship; proof is requested if you are recommended. Undocumented artists are eligible provided residency can be shown. All genres of composition count — jazz, chamber, choral, electronic, experimental, opera, singer-songwriter, musical theatre, world music. What is restricted is career stage: you need to be emerging (roughly three or more years of independent professional practice) or mid-career (seven or more years, with some regional or national recognition). Established composers with 15-plus years and sustained critical recognition are not eligible, nor are students in degree programmes or previous awardees.

Applications go through Submittable and there is no fee. You submit a statement of purpose, a CV, three to eight work samples (ten minutes of material maximum, ideally from the last five years) and a work sample inventory. An out-of-state panel assembled by Artist Communities Alliance reviews everything.