Contest is now: CLOSED

2012 McKnight Fellowship Guidelines

The 2012 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers submission period is now CLOSED. The deadline for submission was Friday, October 21 at 5 p.m. (this is not a postmark deadline). The 2012 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers offered four $25,000 awards in poetry and spoken word and one $25,000 award in children's literature (children younger than eight). Full guidelines are posted below.

2012 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers (Poetry and Spoken Word)

2012 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers (Children's Literature)

McKnight Artists Fellowships for Writers

The Loft administers the McKnight Artists Fellowships for Writers. Five $25,000 awards are presented annually to accomplished Minnesota writers and spoken word artists. Four awards alternate annually between creative prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry/spoken word. The fifth award is presented in children’s literature and alternates annually for writing for ages eight and under and writing for children older than eight. Writers must have either published a book in the genre in which they are applying, or have a significant number of publications in literary magazines. The awards provide the writers the opportunity to focus on their craft for the course of the fellowship year. This program is funded by the McKnight Foundation.

Each year, the Loft presents the judges and winners of the McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers in a series of events. Typically, the judge for the awards in creative prose and poetry/spoken word is presented in a reading and reception honoring all the winners in September. The winners of the awards in creative prose and in poetry/spoken word are paired in readings that take place during the fellowship year, usually in November and April.

The judge for the award in children's literature is typically featured as the keynote speaker at the Festival of Children's Literature, held each spring, usually in April. The winner of this award is also a featured speaker at the festival, and may also give a reading separate from the festival.

All readings and events take place in the Target Performance Hall The reading by the judge in creative prose/poetry and spoken word is free to Loft members, $5 general public. Readings by the McKnight winners are free. Registration is required for the Festival of Children's Literature, featuring the judge and winner in that category. Check the monthly Loft Calendar of Events for McKnight Artist Fellowship readings.

2011 McKnight Fellowship Winners

The Loft is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 McKnight Artist Fellowships, Loft Awards in Creative Prose and Loft Award in Children's Literature/Older Children. Judge Pam Houston selected John Colburn (Minneapolis), Jessica Roeder (Duluth), Ethan Rutherford (Minneapolis), and Dominic Saucedo (Minneapolis) for the fellowship. Honorable mentions went to Alicia Conroy (Minneapolis), Nick Healy (Mankato), N.M. Kelby (Minneapolis), and Sarah Stonich (Minneapolis). For the Award in Children's Literature, judge Arthur A. Levine chose Heather Bouwman of Saint Paul. Honorable mentions went to Pete Hautman (Golden Valley), Tunie Munson-Benson (Minnetonka), Lisa M. Bolt Simons (Faribault), and Joan M. Wolf (Fridley). Complete biographical information on the winners and juges is available by following the link below.

2011 McKnight Fellowship Winners