Written by Applications are open for the Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship 2026–2027, a fellowship bringing together artists and creatives to explore the relationship between art, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, democracy, community and public life.
The fellowship is open to emerging, mid-career and established creatives working across different disciplines. Applicants do not need a university degree or previous experience working with AI.
Selected fellows will receive a $3,000 stipend during Year 1 for their participation in the fellowship’s inquiry, co-design, community engagement and collaborative development process.
The application deadline is September 30, 2026.
About the Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship
The fellowship is designed as a space for creatives from different generations, disciplines and professional backgrounds to examine how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are shaping communities and public life.
Participants will explore questions around creativity, technology, civic participation, democracy, ethics and community engagement.
The programme is particularly interested in creative practices that bring people together, encourage public dialogue or examine the social and cultural effects of technology.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes emerging, mid-career and established creatives from diverse professional and creative backgrounds.
You do not need:
- A university or academic degree
- Previous AI expertise
- To work directly with artificial intelligence
However, applicants should have an active creative practice or sustained engagement in a creative field and an interest in the relationship between creativity, technology, community, democracy and public life.
Creative practices may include:
- Visual art
- Performance
- Public and socially engaged art
- Design
- Digital media
- Filmmaking
- Creative technology
- Music
- Movement
- Fibre and textile arts
- Writing
- Storytelling
- Interdisciplinary practice
Other creative forms may also be considered.
Areas of Interest
The fellowship encourages applications from creatives whose work or interests connect with one or more of the following areas:
- Community-engaged, socially engaged or participatory practice
- Public art and placemaking
- Arts-based research and storytelling
- Public dialogue and facilitation
- Democracy and civic participation
- Belonging and community voice
- Social, cultural and ethical questions around technology
- Critical or experimental approaches to AI
- Technology and society
- Community organising
- Education and advocacy
- Public engagement
Applicants are not expected to agree on the role AI should play in society. The programme welcomes critical, supportive and questioning perspectives on emerging technologies.
What Are the Fellowship Benefits?
$3,000 Year 1 Stipend
Selected fellows will receive a $3,000 stipend in Year 1 for participation in the fellowship’s inquiry, co-design, community engagement and collaborative development process.
Participation in designated Citizen AI workshops or activities outside the core fellowship commitment will be compensated separately.
Year 2 Opportunities
The fellowship is expected to move into a more intensive implementation phase in Year 2.
Selected participants may have opportunities to become more involved in areas such as:
- Production
- Fabrication
- Facilitation
- Public programming
- Implementation of ideas developed during Year 1
Compensation for Year 2 will reflect the scope and level of engagement.
What Are the Requirements?
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- An active creative practice or sustained engagement in a creative field
- Interest in creativity, technology, community, democracy and public life
- Experience or demonstrated interest in collaborative, participatory, community-engaged or public-facing work
- Curiosity about artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
- Willingness to consider both the possibilities and challenges of technology
- Commitment to respectful, inclusive and ethical engagement
- Ability to participate consistently in bi-monthly fellowship meetings and collaborative activities
Who Is This Fellowship For?
The fellowship may be relevant to artists, writers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, storytellers, digital creatives, community organisers, educators and other creative practitioners whose work intersects with technology and public life.
You do not have to identify as an AI specialist to apply.
The call is instead looking for people with creative practices and an interest in exploring how technology intersects with communities, democracy and society.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship 2026–2027 application form online.
Application form:
Apply for the Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is:
September 30, 2026
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.
Key Details
Programme: Citizen AI Arts & Technology Fellowship 2026–2027
Focus: Art, AI, emerging technology, democracy, community and public life
Who can apply: Emerging, mid-career and established creatives
Academic degree required: No
Prior AI expertise required: No
Year 1 stipend: $3,000
Year 2: Potential opportunities for deeper implementation work and compensation based on scope
Application deadline: September 30, 2026
Application: Online