The Lewis Center is designed to put the creative and performing arts at the heart of the Princeton experience. This mission is based on the conviction that exposure to the arts helps us to make sense of our lives and the lives of our neighbors. We pursue this mission by bringing together a vibrant community of people with different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and artistic practices.

Eligible applicants are early career composers, conductors, musicians, choreographers, playwrights, designers, directors, and performance artists. We are committed to fostering an academic environment that acknowledges and encourages community. The successful candidates will pursue academic excellence in University settings.

Fellowships are for two academic years, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, with a $93,000 salary per year. Fellows are typically expected to teach one undergraduate course per semester, subject to approval by the Office of the Dean of the Faculty. In some cases, they may take on an artistic assignment with students in lieu of a class. Prior teaching experience is not required. Fellows are expected to engage with the Princeton community. This may include advising students, delivering talks, workshops, exhibitions, or other events. Fellows will also have the opportunity to pursue their own artistic practices and scholarly research.

The work location for these positions is in-person on campus at Princeton University, and the appointees are expected to be full and active members of our community, committed to frequent and engaged interactions with students.

We are only accepting applications for the Program in Dance, Program in Theater and Music Theater, and the Department of Music for this cycle.

To apply, submit:

1. A curriculum vitae

2. A 750-word proposal that includes:

a. How you propose to use the fellowship to develop your work (250 words)

b. What you might teach or pursue with undergraduates (250 words)

c. Your approach to building community with people of different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and artistic practices through your artistic practice, teaching, and/or research (250 words)

3. Contact information for 1 reference

4. Work samples accompanied by a 150-word statement on how they relate to your proposal. Samples can be submitted as links in a PDF.

a. Dance (choreography): 1-3 links to performances, rehearsals, or research. Must be continuous footage; do not send trailers, photographs or promotional materials. Specify with cue points no more than 3-4 minutes for each link. All cue points combined should be no more than 10 minutes to watch.

b. Music: 1-2 scores and/or links to examples of performance (10 minutes total). Video is optional.

c. Theater: Up to 15 pages writing sample and/or up to 10 design images (photos or renderings) and/or video/audio reel with cue points (no more than 10 minutes to watch).

Finalists are expected to attend the on-campus interview during the week of December 7, 2026.

This is a 24-month full-time appointment at Princeton. Fellows may not hold concurrent teaching positions at other institutions for the duration of their appointment in this role at Princeton. Appointments will be made at the rank of Associate Professional Specialist.

This appointment cannot be used to fund work leading to a Ph.D. or any advanced degree. Holders of Ph.D. degrees from Princeton are not eligible to apply.

Past recipients of the Hodder Fellowship and individuals who have had a sustained and continuous relationship with Princeton University are not eligible to apply. Those who have had an occasional and sporadic relationship with Princeton may apply.

We cannot confirm receipt of applications nor can we accept applications after the deadline.

One can apply for the Princeton Arts Fellowship each application cycle.

FAQ and examples of building community in artistic practice, teaching and/or research: arts.princeton.edu/fellowships/faq

These positions are subject to the University's background check policy. These positions are not eligible for sponsorship of an H-1B visa requiring consular processing.