About the Creative Fellowship​ Program

The Teen Creative Fellowship is an 8 month long program designed for a practicing artist of any discipline between the ages of 13 and 19 to create a new body of work inspired by the materials found in our historical collection at the Providence Public Library. A fellowship typically refers to an academic research opportunity that can last several months. It is designed to help the fellow focus on the individual’s professional development in their field of interest by providing them with funds, research support, and work space depending on the nature of their work.

During the Teen Creative Fellowship at the Providence Public Library, the Teen Fellow will conduct in-depth research in our historical collections with support from Teen Services and Special Collections staff, using images and text as source material and/or inspiration for their art work.

In addition to new work, a successful Teen Creative Fellow will be expected to create engaging programming geared towards children and or teens, with measurable instances of engagement and learning on the part of both the fellow and other community members. Our hope is that a stipend alongside supported, immersive research allows the artist to explore new directions, topics, or methods in their own work and creative process.

Read more about Special Collections, or make an appointment to meet with Special Collections staff.

The Special Collections Historic Archive research process is designed to be iterative and immersive, with the Fellow receiving extensive personal attention and support through consultations with librarians and curators, and assistance in selecting research materials to support and enrich their research interests.

PPL’s Special Collections has begun offering robust digital and in person research support handling the historic documents and artifacts in the archive.

The Fellow is encouraged to expand their research with in-person visits to view and handle Special Collections materials.

After performing research in Special Collections, the Teen Creative Fellow will create new work in the artistic discipline of their choice. This can include but is not limited to: works on paper, sculptural work, digital art, performance art, videography, photography, sound art, and more.

Fellowship products will include:

• A body of work - this can look like a series of drawings/paintings/prints/collages, writing samples, sculptures, spoken word performances, dance etc.
• Ongoing documentation of the fellow’s research and creative process for PPL’s social media.
• Two artist statements (or reflective writing)
• An interactive workshop or artist’s talk open to members of the public
• Archival-quality documentation of the Fellow’s new work for inclusion in PPL’s Special Collections in the form of photographs, video, prints, or other paper-based or digital formats

The Fellow’s artwork can take the form of a print, publication, framed or hang-able artwork, recorded performance, or something more inventive. The work can be presented digitally or installed in an indoor or outdoor location, but, as described in the “Review Process” section, we’re particularly interested in projects that are designed to engage the public in innovative ways and can be viewable and accessible when the project is completed.

The 2025 Creative Fellow will receive a stipend in the amount of $1500, with an additional amount of up to $500 reimbursable for supplies or materials costs.

Other benefits include extensive research support from Special Collections and Teen Services staff as described above, with opportunities to build connections with artist mentors, librarians, archivists, and curators in other local libraries and museums.