Fellowship Eligibility

ELIGIBILITY

The Art Canada Institute welcomes applications from researchers with significant knowledge and experience in the study of Canadian art, broadly defined to encompass historical, contemporary, Indigenous, and/or diasporic art practices in Canada. In addition, the following eligibility criteria is required:

• Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Applicants must hold a PhD in art history or a closely related discipline.
• Applicants must be at an early stage of their academic career, within 7 years of having received their PhD.
• Applicants currently enrolled in a graduate program are not eligible for the fellowship. Candidates who are set to complete their PhD may apply but they must have a confirmed defense date scheduled before the start of the fellowship in September 2026.
• Applicants must not currently hold permanent faculty position or a faculty position leading to permanency.
• Applicants must show evidence of previous research on their proposed topic.

All applicants must be prepared to commit substantial time to the fellowship and must be able to demonstrate an ability to meet deadlines for the program’s deliverables.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The New Voices Publishing Fellowship is guided in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These values shape every aspect of the fellowship—from outreach and adjudication to mentorship and project support.

Diversity

We embrace the breadth of perspectives and lived experiences of all applicants, Fellows, adjudication committee members, and other key stakeholders, recognizing systemic inequalities faced by individuals from various backgrounds. We are committed to supporting the voices of those historically marginalized in Canadian art history, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQQIA+, non-binary, gender non-conforming, Deaf, those with disabilities, women, and others.

We further recognize that Canadian artist history is enriched by a wide range of voices, experiences, and perspectives. The fellowship welcomes projects that reflect this breadth, including those focused on artists from diverse cultural, geographic, and linguistic communities, that challenge conventional narratives in the discipline. Diversity, in this context, refers not only to the subjects of research but also to the forms the work can take, and the knowledges that shape it.

Equity

Acknowledging uneven access to resources, we strive for fair processes and support. We ensure equitable access to the fellowship through a transparent review process, bias awareness training for adjudicators, accessibility accommodations (throughout all stages: application, assessment, and during the fellowship year), technology support, and thoughtful mentorship—supporting participants with varied needs.

Inclusion

The fellowship is designed to ensure that participants feel welcomed, respected, and supported. We foster an environment of mutual learning and respect for diverse ways of knowing. The selected Fellow will receive valuable one-on-one support throughout the fellowship, including guidance on ethical content development. The Fellow is empowered to shape their project in a way that aligns with their goals and style of working.

By following these principles, we aim to ensure that all Fellows can participate fully, comfortably, and authentically.