TheFull Color Print Fellowship is an application-based program for BIPOC artists with some level of prior printmaking experience. The two selected artists receive a year’s membership to HP’s cooperative print shop, free access to classes and workshops, an unrestricted stipend, professional development and exhibition opportunities. 

The goal of this program is to ensure that the cooperative printshop environment at Highpoint is safe and welcoming for all artists by providing opportunities and access to artists who have been historically underrepresented in the co-op space and adult classes. Highpoint aspires to reflect and be more representative of the community we inhabit and serve. 

FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS:

• 12 months provided access to the cooperative printshop at Highpoint
• Artistic/professional mentorship opportunities 
• Technical support, including individual instruction
• A $500 stipend
• Access to Highpoint adult printmaking classes (tuition free)
• Opportunity to show work in twice yearly co-op member exhibitions
• Deeply discounted co-op access following the completion of the fellowship (dues are $50/month for up to 3 years)               
• And more!

ELIGIBILITY:

This fellowship is for Minnesota artists from BIPOC communities including but not limited to people belonging to Indigenous communities, Asian and Pacific Island communities, the Somali diaspora and other African immigrant communities, the African American community, the Latinx community, and other communities identifying as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Applicants must have demonstrable experience in one or more printmaking techniques such as lithography, intaglio, relief, monotype, and/or screenprinting to be eligible for this fellowship. Fellows must maintain Minnesota residency for the duration of the fellowship year.

ARTIST FELLOW RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adhere to cooperative printshop policies (procedures, health and safety)
• Participate in end of program evaluation 
• Participate in at least one Highpoint community event during the residency such as a cooperative exhibition, Free Ink Day, or artist talk, etc.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Artists will need the Following materials to complete their application:

Responses to the application prompt questions about your artistic background and goals for the residency. These prompt questions are provided below. Responses can be uploaded as a written document or, if preferred, applicants may provide a video or audio recording of their verbal responses to the application questions. If you need help completing your application, please contact Highpoint for additional assistance.

Prompt questions:

1. How were you introduced to printmaking?
2. Have you encountered any barriers to making prints and/or learning printmaking techniques? 
3. What printmaking technique(s) do you have experience in?
4. Is printmaking currently part of your artistic practice? Why or why not?
5. Are there any printmaking technique(s) that you want to learn or learn more about? What are they? Is there anything preventing this from happening?
6. Please tell us about your artistic background; what type of work do you make? What themes and ideas do you explore? What are these ideas/themes important to you?
7. How would participation in this program benefit you as an artist?
8. Please describe your motivation and ability to commit to a year-long artist fellowship.

Work sample: 

• 10 images of recent work (made within the last 5 years)
• At least 2 of the 10 images must contain some form of printmaking
   

Highpoint’s Teaching Artist Learning Community is a paid program designed for early-career Minnesota-based BIPOC artists who are interested in growing their teaching practice in printmaking. The program aims to encourage teaching artists to develop an expansive and community-centered approach to printmaking instruction through a learning community model. The intention of a learning community is to create  a space where members exchange ideas, build collaborative knowledge, and support each other on the learning journey. The Teaching Artist Learning Community promotes artistic growth and professional development through self-directed learning opportunities and peer instruction.

Through an application process, five participants will be selected and will meet in person for 15 weeks to gain skills in the technical, pedagogical, and professional aspects of being a teaching artist. Weekly meetings will support participating teaching artists as they work towards a culminating project: developing and leading a printmaking workshop at Highpoint. 

Participants can expect to gain basic knowledge of relief, drypoint, and monotype printmaking processes during the 15-week learning program and can expand their knowledge through self-designed learning opportunities, including free tuition for Highpoint’s adult classes and a free 6-month membership to artist cooperative printshop. 

Participant Benefits:

• $1,200 stipend (To be distributed in two installments throughout the program for attending weekly learning meetings and class development.)
• $140 stipend for teaching a workshop at Highpoint.
• Access to materials and equipment to support artistic growth.
• 6 months of free access to the cooperative printshop at Highpoint (the shop is fully equipped to support intaglio, relief, lithography, screenprinting, monotype, and more). This benefit is available after completing the ten week training portion of the program. 
• Mentorship for teaching and artistic growth. 
• An opportunity to be a part of a thriving, intergenerational artist cooperative studio.
• Technical support.
• Access to Highpoint’s Sampler Session adult printmaking classes (tuition-free). Sampler Sessions are held on Thursdays from 6 - 9 p.m.
• And more!

Timeline:

• Monday, June 30:       Applications due
• Thursday, July 17:                 Selected applicants notified
• Sunday, August 10:          Weekly in-person sessions begin — Sundays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Sunday, November 16:       Weekly meetings conclude
• March/April 2026:       Teach workshop at Highpoint

Participant Responsibilities:

• Attend 15 sessions which take place on Sundays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m between August 10 to November 16  (Transportation is not provided).
• Commit between 2-5 hours a week outside of class time to completing related work or activities  
• Develop and teach a workshop at Highpoint in March or April 2026 (and will be paid an additional fee for this commitment).
• Adhere to cooperative printshop code of conduct and policies (procedures, health, and safety)
• Participate in program evaluation following their completion of program activities.

Program Coordinator:

This program is led by Nancy Ariza. Nancy is a Mexican American printmaker, educator, and arts administrator. With over 10 years of experience developing and leading arts programming throughout the state of Minnesota, Nancy has held positions at Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Walker Art Center, Highpoint Center for Printmaking, and Springboard for the Arts. 

She holds BFA in Printmaking and BA in Art History from Minnesota State University, Mankato, as well as a MA in Education and Graduate Certificate in Culturally Responsive Teaching from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.