The Community Storytelling Fellowship is awarded annually to Oregonians who belong to communities that are underrepresented in Oregon media. Each fellow receives $5,000 to support the creation of true stories—journalism, creative nonfiction, video, audio, and other media—about those communities. Stories are shared in Oregon Humanities magazine and other publications. Three fellowships are reserved for storytellers living in rural communities.
To apply for this fellowship, please tell us a little about yourself, your community, and the kinds of stories you hope to tell through this application form. The application deadline is October 1, 2024.
What is community storytelling?
When we say “community,” we mean any group of people who share a common experience thanks to where they live, the language they speak, their race, their religion, their age, or some other attribute.
When we say “storytelling,” we mean nonfiction stories conveyed through writing, photos, audio, video, comics, or any other medium.
Who should apply for this fellowship?
This fellowship is open to storytellers who intend to produce nonfiction stories. Previous publishing experience is not required, but applicants must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills to complete the proposed project.
What we're looking for
Strong proposals include details about the stories the applicant intends to tell and demonstrate a deep connection to a specific community. They also explain how the project would be completed within an eleven-month fellowship.
About the fellowship
In 2025, six Community Storytelling Fellows will each create approximately three stories (possibly more or fewer depending on length and complexity) to be published by Oregon Humanities and partner publications between February and December 2025. Each fellow will work with a mentor who is experienced in their medium in addition to an editor from the Oregon Humanities staff. Additional funds to support travel and other expenses are available.
Past fellows have shared stories about older LGBTQ+ adults, immigrants in Northeast Oregon, participants in the Klamath Tribes’ language program, people who experience voices and visions, formerly incarcerated people, and people of color working in outdoor recreation and conservation, among other communities. Read more about past fellows here.
Oregon Humanities magazine and our other publications explore the ideas and experiences of Oregonians. The goal of this fellowship is to provide time and space for sharing stories and questions as part of our mission to connect people and communities to inspire understanding and collaborative change.
We hope the stories shared through this fellowship will allow more Oregonians to see their experiences represented, fill information gaps, and encourage readers to work toward a more inclusive and civically engaged state. We hope fellows will develop as storytellers and build connections within their communities.
This program is made possible thanks to generous support from the Ford Family Foundation.
Questions?
On Tuesday, September 17, at 10:00 a.m. PT, Oregon Humanities staff will host an online info session for potential applicants. Join us to learn more about the fellowship and the application process. To register for the info session, please use this form.
If you have questions about the fellowship, please contact Alexandra Silvester at alexandra@oregonhumanities.org.
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