C3Lab Public Arts Fellowship 2026-2028

The C3Lab Public Arts Fellowship is an 18-month fellowship running September 1, 2026–February 29, 2028, supporting emerging and mid-career artists seeking to expand into the public art realm. The program was developed as a continuation of the mission of the former C3Lab creative coworking hub to support artists in the Charlotte community and strengthen cultural vitality across the Southeast. Following the closure of the original creative space, the parent design-build firm ACSM Design + Build reimagined the program as a focused, studio-based fellowship centered on professional education, technical training, and hands-on experience in public art.

Fellows work collaboratively as a duo and share a studio space with membership at LoSo Studios, an artist collective located in the ACSM building in Lower South End, Charlotte. The curriculum explores the full design + build process—from concept development and digital modeling to materials selection, fabrication, and installation. Fellows gain real-world experience navigating construction drawings, shop practices, fabrication workflows, community engagement, and professional documentation. In addition to structured educational sessions, mentorship, and visiting speakers, the program is dedicated to rigorous professional development, equipping artists with the technical fluency, collaborative experience, and practical knowledge necessary to translate studio practice into permanent, site-specific public work.

Applicants must be 21 years or older and apply individually while identifying their proposed two-person collaborative partner. Submit 3–7 images of completed artworks, a resume or CV, brief artist biography, and brief artist statement. An optional short video providing context about work and/or process may be included. Artists must commit to the full 18-month fellowship term, participate in Open Studios and required community engagement events, and be willing to safely operate tools, machines, and fabrication equipment. Fellows are responsible for their own art supplies, transportation, and housing. Entry fee: $25.00. Deadline: April 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.