This is an eternal question in our cohorts and one that serves as a central axis for the identity work we do. Are you Jewish? Are you making work as a creative that responds to the moment or is in dialogue with contemporary themes? Many of our artists have never made work that has Jewish content of any kind. However, they identify as Jewish and this ignites their curiosity for participation. We do expect that Art/Lab will inspire the creation of new work that emerges from a Jewish “conversation” whether that take place through text study on the year’s theme, dialogue, identity work or developing relationships with other Jewish artists.

We think expansively about art and artists. Our cohort has included poets, writers, musicians, a film maker, choreographers, visual artists, a puppeteer, a chef and performance artists. We invite architects, urban planners, designers, makers, curators and anyone who identifies as an artist or creative and can demonstrate dedicated practice in their genre/s.

We expect that you are holding curiosity about your Jewish self and that of others around you. We have had participants who are religious Jews from birth, those who were recent or active converts and others who were born Jewish and estranged from their Jewish identities for decades. Art/Lab is a place for Jews at every stage of identity and practice. We do not card you at the door.

That depends on how you define professional. We do not expect you to be making a living from your art practice, though many are. We do, however, expect you to show proficiency, dedicated practice and study committed to your work as a contemporary Jewish artist. Most of our artists are mid or late- career artists. Some are returning to their practice after a break and a small handful are emerging.

The Fellowship Cohort meets nine times over the year for the regularly scheduled gatherings. Each gathering is from 9:30am - 1:30pm with a lunch break in the middle. We meet either at the Eastside Jewish Commons or the OJMCHE.

This year’s dates are: October 12th, November 16th, December 14th, January 11th, February 22nd, March 15th, April 12th, May 17th, June 7th + an exhibition installation date in June and our exhibition opening date. See the application for more detail.

All applicants must complete the application form and submit the requested supporting documentation. A committee of three outside professional artists and arts administrators independently review the applications and make their recommendations to Art/Lab regarding individual participation in the cohort. We have chosen not to release the names of the review committee, per their request, given the small size of the Jewish arts community here in Portland. One member of the committee is always an Art/Lab Fellowship alum.

Our monthly cohort meetings are the heart of the Fellowship. These are opportunities to hear from each other about our art practices, check in about current happenings in our practices, study Jewish texts, workshop about a variety of items related to our work as artists and identities as Jews, share resources, provide critical feedback to each other about our work and so much more.

We recognize that many artists support their artistic education, growth and practice through participation in on-site artist residencies, workshops and travel for research. Art/Lab encourages and supports these important aspects of your art practice. And, in thoughtful conversation with previous cohort members, we have come to recognize the deep impact that meeting in person offers. In an effort to find a working balance, we ask that you commit to being in person for ALL cohort gatherings unless you are attending an artist/research/educational residency in which case we expect you to be with us via Zoom.

Applicants will be informed of the committee’s final decisions by September 14th, 2025.

We are not yet funded to open an alumni cohort, but very much hope to do so in the near future. At this time, we do not allow alumni to apply for a newly forming Fellowship Cohort.

Community building within the Art/Lab Fellowship cohort is at the core of our work.  Within the cohort there may be a wide range of religious and political viewpoints and practices. Art/Lab’s magic comes not only from finding common ground in our lived Jewish experiences, but also from the cooperative nurturing of an environment in which diversity of identity, practice and politics may be explored with civility and respect.