2026 Guggenheim Cohort
May 21 - September 24, 2025
Cohort fee:
$550 for new Cohort participants
$350 for returning Cohort participants
(nonrefundable)
As artists, grant writers, and consultants helping artists navigate their careers, we’ve all noticed that while the Guggenheim grant is nearly universally coveted, it’s also often put off till the last minute. We get it! The same reasons folks put it off are great reasons to get started early.
Our bi-monthly schedule will alternate between instructional meetings and moderated workshop breakout sessions, and we’ll gather for a cohort closing meeting in September to consolidate knowledge and celebrate another application cycle on the books. This cohort does not include private grant writing services but instead provides guidance on the application process, inside tips and examples as well as a container for you to write your application in community with other applicants. Private services may be arranged separately with the cohort leaders for an additional fee, schedules permitting.
SCHEDULE:
The workshop meetings correspond to the primary components of the application, alternating with co-working meetings to keep you accountable to your timeline:
(all dates are Wednesdays at 12-1pm PT on zoom)
May 21 Introductions, Application Overview, and Instruction: References & List of Work
June 4 Workshop Breakout Session: work on References & List of Work
June 18 Instruction: Career Narrative
June 27 Workshop Breakout Session: review draft Career Narrative
July 2 Instruction: Statement of Plans
July 16 Workshop Breakout Session: review draft Statement of Plans
July 30 Instruction: Work Examples
August 13 Workshop Breakout Session: review draft Work Samples
August 27 Application Draft Review
September 24 Post-submission feedback & celebration
The Guggenheim Fellowship is among the most competitive grant applications, seeing an average of 2,500 applicants every year. Our approach emphasizes the process over the outcome, setting a tone for applying year after year. Applying to the Guggenheim Fellowship is a significant investment, but if you meet the eligibility profile, the benefits of applying are the same as with any significant opportunity:
+ Requesting references helps you maintain important relationships.
+ Writing about your career develops your vocabulary for your art and your work as an artist in public, generating valuable context for your work.
+ Describing a future project can be useful for getting the project off the ground, with or without a Guggenheim.
+ Applications are peer-reviewed, developing visibility for your work among viewers who may not see it otherwise.
+ And to state the obvious but important fact: You will not win a Guggenheim if you don’t apply for a Guggenheim
Who is this cohort for?
+ Midcareer and advanced professionals
+ Artists working in painting, sculpture, the graphic arts, installation, new media, photography, fine arts, performance artists, choreographers, filmmakers
+ First time Guggenheim applicants
+ Experienced Guggenheim applicants who’ve not yet won a Guggenheim
+ Applicants who want the accountability of a structured cohort
+ Applicants seeking consistent guidance and support through the application process
+ Applicants open to sharing the application experience in community with others
Still don’t know if you should apply? Use this checklist to help guide you through what you should consider:
For questions about the cohort, please email Virginia at virginia@theartistsoffice.net
About the cohort leaders
Virginia, Elana, and Corrina have extensive experience working in the art world and have collectively helped over 1000 artists and art workers navigate their careers, including guidance on the Guggenheim application.
Virginia Broersma is an artist whose engagement with the art community involves curating, writing, collaborative projects, public art, and organizing support for artists along with her studio practice. She founded The Artist’s Office in 2018 where she works with artists on the “office work” of being an artist including applying to grants, residencies, and other open calls. Broersma has received several grants for her studio work and helped other artists apply for and receive grants, public art projects, shows, and residencies.
Elana Mann is an artist, activist, and grant writer. Throughout her career, Mann has advocated for artists and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to uplift artistic voices. She is the Founder of Ears Open, which offers fundraising, grant writing and development services to support both artists and arts organizations. Mann’s art and activism centers the act of listening, an approach that she also applies to the individuals and organizations she works with.
Corrina Peipon is an artist, curator, writer, and educator. She founded Continuous Project in 2018 as a platform to help creative people navigate their opportunities and challenges; to teach art students and working artists; and to advocate for the empowerment of art workers.