Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Fellowship Program Targets Young Black Artists Hit by Eaton Fire

A new fellowship will provide $1,500 stipends and professional training to eight young Black artists affected by January’s devastating Eaton Fire, organizers announced this week.

The Freedom Futures Collective, working with The Black Hive at the Movement for Black Lives, created the eight-week program for artists ages 18 to 26 in Los Angeles County who were directly affected by the blaze that destroyed large sections of Altadena.

“This summer fellowship program will center Black communities impacted by the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, California with a targeted focus on historically Black neighborhoods in Altadena,” program documents show.

The Black Futures on Earth fellowship runs June 14 through August 7, requiring eight work hours weekly. Fellows will receive studio space, art materials and training on climate justice and community organizing while creating works for “The Soul of Altadena,” a traveling exhibition scheduled to open in spring 2026.

Priority goes to artists living in Altadena and Pasadena, though any Los Angeles County resident affected by the fire can apply. The program accepts artists working in photography, painting, music production, creative writing, poetry and spoken word, performance art, sculpture and animation.

Artists must attend an in-person orientation June 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., then participate in twice-weekly sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. PCT starting June 16. The program operates 70 percent virtually with optional in-person studio time.

Applications require a two-to-four minute video addressing three questions: how peers would describe the applicant’s artistry, how they would use art to create better futures for Black communities, and what they want to learn about climate and environmental justice. Artists must also submit an artist resume, website or social media profile, work samples, two professional references with contact information, and describe a past collaborative project in 3-5 complete sentences.

The $1,500 stipend gets paid in two installments. Organizers provide all art materials except computers and offer transportation help for in-person sessions. Participants must follow each venue’s COVID protocols.

Applications close Friday, June 6 at 11:59 p.m. PST via Google Forms. Selected artists will be notified by June 11. The collective encourages emerging artists without extensive professional experience to apply.

“What if I don’t have much professional art experience, but I’m like an emerging legend! Can I still apply? Go for it!” the application states.

Artists can get application support at info@freedomfuturescollective.com.