A new fellowship from the Engaged City
We are thrilled to announce the Community Fellows in Residence, a new paid fellowship designed to support artists, storytellers, data scientists, organizers, community members, and more.
This opportunity is part of The Engaged City — a collaborative project from The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2), The Center for the Humanities; and The Office for Socially Engaged Practice at Washington University in St. Louis.
This fellowship marks the first major initiative of the newly launched Engaged City project, setting the stage for a multi-year effort to collaboratively map and celebrate the cultural life of St. Louis.
About the Engaged City
This is a cultural asset mapping project. In an attempt to bridge divides instead of highlight or enforce them, this project will create publicly accessible co-created cultural maps of St. Louis that spatialize the individual and collective cultural knowledge bearers, organizations, and community members in STL.
What is Cultural Asset Mapping?
Cultural asset mapping is a process where communities identify and document the cultural resources, strengths, and activities they already have. Think of it like creating a map, but instead of streets and landmarks, you’re mapping out all the things that make a community unique in terms of culture. This can include:
- Places: museums, theaters, parks, or historical landmarks.
- People: Artists, musicians, poets or storytellers who contribute to the community’s cultural identity.
- Practices: Traditions, festivals, languages, or events that are important to the community.
- Organizations: Nonprofits, cultural centers, or community groups that support the arts or cultural education.
Once these assets are identified, the community can see where there’s already strength, what might be missing, and how they can work together to celebrate or grow their cultural life. It’s like taking stock of what you have before planning for future growth or development.
About the Fellowship
The Community Fellows in Residence is at the heart of this work. We’re looking for three (3) community-based practitioners working in any discipline — visual art, writing, performance, data, storytelling, illustration, and beyond — who bring distinct perspectives and are eager to collaborate in shaping St. Louis’s cultural future.
Fellows will:
- Contribute original creative work to the cultural asset map
- Collaborate with the Engaged City team and Community Advisory Board
- Help identify and elevate community priorities
- Receive mentorship and access to WashU’s resources (libraries, archives, workspace, courses, and more)
- Engage with other fellows, scholars, and cultural workers in residence
We’re Seeking Fellows Whose Work:
- Explores themes relevant to St. Louis communities
- Actively engages questions of race, ethnicity, and urbanism
- Actively explores and highlights the cultural diversity of our city
- Encourages inclusive, ongoing dialogue and public participation
- Deepens understanding of community identity through creative and/or research-based practices
Fellowship Details
📅 Term: August 2025 – July 2026 (with possibility of renewal)
💼 Time Commitment: 10–15 hours/week
💰 Stipend: $20,000
📍 Eligibility: Open to anyone 18+ at any career stage, residing in the St. Louis region
🎓 Affiliation: Fellows will be partnered with the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity, the Center for the Humanities, and the Office for Socially Engaged Practice
Questions?
For more information about the fellowship or the application process, please contact us at theengagedcity@wustl.edu
📅 Virtual Info Session: Monday, June 16 at 12pm | Register here.
