Applications Open
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Applications Open 〰️
CAT Fellowship Program
The Fellowship Program connects a mix of artists across disciplines and community workers across sectors, who complete 60 hours of in-session training and 60 hours of readings, assignments, and field study. The program builds shared knowledge, skills, and effective collaborations among 16 artists, activists, educators, human service personnel and policymakers to support arts-integrated programs in under-resourced settings, neighborhoods, and communities.
Apply for the 2027 Cohort
Do you believe the arts are a catalyst for positive social change? Do you maintain a people-centered arts or social practice? Are you looking to challenge your thinking, deepen your knowledge, expand your skillset, grow your network, and learn art-based ways of working "with-not-for” your community?
If so, then the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute Fellowship Program may be the next step in your journey as a practitioner of transformative community care.
Deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 11:59pm
Interested in applying or know someone who would benefit from this experience?
Click below to view, share, or fill out the application.
The CAT Fellowship Program
This five-month collaborative learning experience–the oldest sustained training program of its kind in the country–is designed to foster successful partnerships among artists of all disciplines, social workers, educators, organizers and justice workers, non-profit administrators, policy makers, and more. CAT fellows grapple with unique issues in topics such as: partnerships and collaborations, program development and sustainability, artist agency, creative community organizing and action, legal protections, adaptability, power and privilege, and multi-level engagement.
CAT Institute Fellows (which includes over 400 alumni) go on to develop relevant arts programs in community settings such as within neighborhood and community organizations, school systems, social service agencies, community development initiatives, the civic domain, the carceral system, environmental justice, institutions of health, art, humanities, higher education, and more.
The CAT Fellowship program demands a lot from its fellowship cohort. Through a community-based application, review, and selection process, we aim to identify dedicated applicants that are seeking to learn about the use of the arts in community settings, to develop their collaboration skills, and to explore new concepts and ways of working. Successful fellows are eager to learn with their cohort and faculty; approach the experience with an open mind; and are committed to being present and participatory, communicative, collective, and to think creatively.
Applicants must be available to participate in all session dates:
Cohort Induction Ceremony: Thursday, January 7, 2027 (5:30p - 7:00p)
All Fellowship sessions take place in midtown St. Louis:
Fridays - 1:00p - 7:00p
Saturday - 9:00a - 3:00p
Fellowship dates:
January 8th + 9th, 2027
February 12th + 13th, 2027
March 12th + 13th, 2027
April 9th + 10th, 2027
May 21st + 22nd, 2027 – GRADUATION
“Everything about my work changed. I became much more aware of my role and responsibility within the community, and worked to create programs and partnerships that reached the young people most in need of access to artistic experience. I fought a lot harder within my own organization to make sure we were reaching underserved populations, and not just paying lip-service to them.”
CAT Fellow, 2004