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 8 and under and writing for children older than 8. 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.
Loft Calendar
The 2010 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers submission period now CLOSED. The deadline has passed. Watch for 2011 submission guidelines in August, 2010. The 2011 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers will offer four $25,000 awards in fiction and creative nonfiction and one $25,000 award in children's literature (older children and teens). Consult past guidelines (below) for reference purposes only.
2010 Mcknight Fellowship Guidelines (competition CLOSED)
Download a PDF of the McKnight Fellowship FAQ
The winners of the 2009 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers, Loft Awards in Creative Prose and Loft Award in Children's Literature/Older Children, have been announced. Judge Krista Marino selected Trisha Speed Shaskan for the children's literature fellowship. Judge Bernard Cooper chose J.C. Hallman, John Jodzio, John Reimringer, and Wang Ping for the creative prose fellowships. For additional information including runners up and winners/judges bios, click:
2009 McKnight Fellowship Winners.
