Rhizome Fellowships

The 2025-2026 theme departs from science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler’s essay, “A Few Rules for Predicting the Future” (2000), originally published in Essence magazine following the release of Butler’s Parable series. This open call invites projects connected with prediction, waymaking, futurecasting, or worldbuilding; or resonating with Butler’s principles to learn from the past, respect the law of consequences, be aware of one’s perspective, and count on surprises. In Butler’s words:

“The one thing my characters and I never do is give up hope. In fact, the very act of trying to look ahead to discern possibilities and offer warnings is in itself an act of hope…[]…Making predictions is one way to give warning when we see ourselves drifting in dangerous directions. Because prediction is a useful way of pointing out safer, wiser courses. Because, most of all, our tomorrow is the child of our today.”

From June through December 2025, two New York-based artists or culture workers of color will work closely with Flux Factory’s staff to develop a duo exhibition or public program sited at the organization’s new venue, Flux IV, in Long Island City (Hunters Point South). Artists working across disciplines in New York are invited to apply. Applicants should be able to articulate a vision to develop either (1) new work for public presentation or (2) to bring existing work into a new phase using the fellowship’s commissioning structure. 

Applications Closed: April 10, 2025, 11:59 PM (Eastern)

Two 2025 Rhizome Fellows will receive:

• $2000 artist fee + $2000 to use towards production
• Bimonthly curatorial mentorship and logistical support from the Curator & Exhibitions Director (concept to realization); dedicated time in Flux IV for a public program along with communications, curatorial, and production support from staff
• Introductions and access to the Flux Factory collective 
• Studio visits with guest advisors 
• Access to Flux Factory’s workspaces

• All disciplines welcome; applications are assessed for imagination and feasibility, with successful applicants selected for visionary use of the fellowship structure
• Applicants must be emerging, age 21 and over, and not presently in a degree-granting program 
• Applicants must be based in New York and Queens-based practitioners who are our neighbors (based Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Ridgewood, etc.) are strongly encouraged to apply
• In alignment with The Rhizome Project’s history, marginalized or minoritized voices are strongly encouraged to apply (but the proposed project need not address identity)

If you have questions about eligibility or the application, please contact Meghana Karnik, Curator & Exhibitions Director at meghana[at]fluxfactory[dot]org. Staff hosted an office hours session via Zoom on March 18, 2025 from 5-6 PM.

Applications are submitted on Airtable [Link]. We recommend completing written questions on a word processor before using the submission platform. For inspiration, here is a link to Butler’s essay. 

Questions:

1. Project Description. If the work has already been publicly programmed, tell us about that experience. How would the fellowship establish a new phase of research or practice? (limit: 3000 characters)
2. Considering the thematic focus, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future, what do you hope to learn or develop? What resources do you need to do this work? (limit: 3000 characters)
3. In practical terms, how do you want to use the presenting opportunity at Flux IV? Some examples could be an exhibition, small gatherings, a performance series, etc. (limit: 1000 characters)
4. What draws you to this open call and why now? (limit: 1000 characters)

Materials Requested:

1. CV/Resume
2. 3 Work Samples (most files supported)
3. 1 Supplemental URL Link (website, social media, etc.)

Open call applications will be reviewed by 2025 Rhizome Jurors, Kamari Carter and Utsa Hazarika, alongside Meghana Karnik, Curator & Exhibitions Director. Staff will make an initial review of applications and a smaller pool will be reviewed by a panel jury. Jury members will abstain from selection where they have a personal or professional relationship with a fellowship candidate. Applications will be reviewed by staff and jury only. A shortlist of candidates will be interviewed and all applicants will be notified of their status by early May 2025.

The Rhizome Project was initiated by Haiba Hamilton and Natalia Nakazawa (Flux Factory board members) in 2020 as a commitment to give intentional space to Black voices, dedicating part of Flux Factory’s operating budget for this development. The vision behind this gesture was to weave stronger ties between Flux Factory and under-heard, under-seen, and under-supported voices with a focus on rooting Flux in Queens, one of the world’s most ethnically diverse places. 

In the last five years, The Rhizome Project resulted in various initiatives, including the recent exhibition, The Voice of Many, The Voice of One: Collective Actions for Resistance and Mutual Aid (2023), curated by Hamilton and Nakazawa at The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center. The Rhizome Project is an evolving entity. Through a process of listening to our past and future fellows, we will specify its vision, values, and impact.