Applications are now open for the 2026 Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship from The Asia Foundation. This fellowship is organized in Partnership with the Asian Art Museum, a program that supports exchanges among emerging curatorial voices focusing on Asian and/or Asian American art. The Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship supports two emerging contemporary art curators, one from Asia and one from the United States, for a residency of up to three months at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. There is no application fee, and all the expenses will be covered by the organization. Below are more details about the requirements, financial benefits, and the application process.
Details About the 2026 Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship in the USA
- Host Country: USA
- Location: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco
- Duration: 3 Months
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 24th March 2026
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Financial Benefits
The Program covers:
- Fully Funded Travel: Round-trip airfare/transportation to and from San Francisco for the residency.
- Residency Housing: Provided accommodation for the duration of the program (June 1 – August 31, 2026).
- Daily Allowance: A per diem to cover living expenses while on-site at the Asian Art Museum.
- Research Stipend: A $7,500 grant dedicated to a self-designed study tour.
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Fellowship Theme
- 2026 Fellowship Theme: Community-Centered Curatorial Practice
- The 2026 program will focus on candidates who work closely with communities in their cultural and curatorial practice.
- Fellows will explore how community building can be part of curating, art-making, and institutional work. This includes:
- Using lived experiences
- Building long-term relationships
- Sharing knowledge with communities
- Based on their professional and cultural backgrounds, fellows will:
- Study different community-centered models
- Look at local, regional, international, and online contexts
- Explore networked and digital platforms
- Fellows will review selected past museum exhibitions and:
- Rethink how they could be redesigned today
- Make them more relevant and connected to communities
- Encourage stronger dialogue and engagement.
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Outcome of the Fellowship
- Written reflections
- Public programs and events
- Experimental online projects
- New ideas and proposals for future exhibitions
- The overall goal is to make exhibitions serve as bridges that connect communities, places, and networks.
Eligibility Criteria
- Location: You must be from the United States, Asia, or the Pacific Islands.
- Career Stage: The program is designed for the “next generation” or emerging curators.
- Background: You can apply from within or outside of a traditional museum. They welcome:
- Institutional curators (working in museums).
- Independent curators or artists.
- Those with experience in community engagement or “non-brick-and-mortar” (digital/online) exhibitions.
- Language: You must be fully conversant in English.
- Commitment: You must be able to stay in San Francisco for the full three-month residency (June 1 – August 31, 2026).
Also Check: Bulgaria INSAIT Summer Research Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)
How to Apply for the 2026 Margaret F. Williams Memorial Fellowship?
Candidates can apply online from the official website. The link is below.
