School of Art Fellowship Offers $10,000 to Support Faculty Projects Linking Creativity and Wellness

The U of A School of Art, housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, is launching an interdisciplinary fellowship to support faculty-led projects that explore the intersection of creativity and wellness.   

Two fellows will be selected to receive up to $10,000 in project funding each. Collaborative proposals are encouraged. Faculty partners may come from any academic unit, and proposals may include collaborators from within the School of Art, though this is not required. The fellowship is open to all non-endowed, tenured, tenure-track and teaching professors across the U of A campus. 

"At the School of Art, we recognize that wellness is multifaceted and that creative inquiry - through the arts, sciences, humanities, technology and engineering  - has the power to enhance well-being," said Rachel Debuque, director of the School of Art. "This fellowship supports faculty who are using creativity to improve health, whether that is through community engagement, performances, public health initiatives, design innovation or other approaches. We believe faculty will demonstrate how the arts can strengthen individual and community health. The School of Art is proud to drive this effort, promoting a culture of wellness that begins here in Arkansas and extends beyond." 

2026 theme: Creativity and Wellness 

This year's call for proposals invites projects that explore the convergence of creativity and wellness. Faculty are encouraged to propose interdisciplinary initiatives that use creative practice to support well-being and expand access to the arts. Whether through teaching, research, community engagement or cross-campus collaboration, the fellowship seeks to amplify efforts that remove barriers, broaden participation and foster meaningful connections. 

Examples of eligible projects include: 

• Cross-campus collaborations: Partnering with other academic units to connect creativity and wellness in interdisciplinary contexts. 

• Student collaborations: Designing opportunities for students across disciplines to work together on projects that integrate creative problem-solving with well-being. Student scholarships are not permissible. 

• Community partnerships: Working with organizations within Arkansas to expand access to creative and wellness-oriented experiences. 

• Accessible spaces and resources: Improving access to facilities, programs and materials that support creativity and well-being for a wide range of participants. 

• Youth engagement: Creating programs that inspire and support young learners through creative exploration. 

• Research support: Exploring, testing or evaluating creative approaches that impact health or community well-being. 

Key dates and application details 

• Application deadline: Dec. 1, 2025 

• Fellowship announcement: Late December 2025 

• Project start date: January 2026 

• Funding deadline: June 30, 2026 

• Final report due: June 30, 2026 

Applicants must submit a project statement, bio, departmental support letter, curriculum vitae and itemized budget. Proposals will be evaluated by a School of Art subcommittee based on relevance, impact, feasibility and alignment with the fellowship theme.