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2025 Inaugural Offroute Art Biotech Fellowship
Application Open until 12/12
Read this page closely before you apply.

This fellowship is open to visual artists ages 18 - 24 who are interested in learning more about the intersections of art, life sciences, biotechnology, and ethics. This is an educational and creative opportunity for visual artists to create one or more projects over the span of 4 months, inspired by the cutting-edge biotechnology advancements taking place at the University of Pittsburgh. 

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Artists will be compensated up to $500 for their final project which will be purchased by the University of Pittsburgh.

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During the January - March 2025 sessions, the meeting structure will be a combination of learning, group interaction, and time to work on your project. Our final session in April 2025 will be an art showcase event where your project will be publicly displayed within the Greater Hazelwood community.

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This fellowship is created through a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs and Offroute Art, with funding provided by The Heinz Endowments.

Dates & Structure

Artists must be available and commit to the following schedule.

Nose & Lips Wall Art

Session 1 (virtual)
Friday, January 17

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Zoom

Orientation and Welcome

Speakers:

  • Kjerstin Pugh, Founder & Executive Director, Offroute Art

  • Heidi Ward, Director, Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment

Arts and Crafts

Session 2 (in-person)
Wednesday, February 12

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Hazelwood

Exploring the intersection of art and health: Why does it matter? 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Jessica Burke, Professor, School of Public Health at Pitt (Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Focus)

  • Sara Baumann, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health at Pitt (Behavioral and Community Health Sciences Focus)

Art Installation

Session 3 (in-person)

Wednesday, March 12

1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Oakland

Technology for hands-on making and experiential learning.

Speaker:

  • Molly A. Ritter, Curriculum Coordinator, Open Lab

Artist Studio2

Session 4 (in-person)
April, TBA
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Greater Hazelwood

Culminating Art Show

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Open to friends, family, and the public.

Additional Benefits for Fellows:

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  • Learning about and participating in conversations and visioning the future of life sciences in Pittsburgh and the Southwestern PA region. 

  • Professional headshots and pictures of artists next to their final project.

  • Connecting with a small cohort of emerging artists.

  • Coaching and mentorship from Offroute Art.

  • Artist’s art project(s) will be displayed in the Greater Hazelwood Community.

  • Artists will receive a total of $500 as compensation for participating in the Inaugural Offroute Art Biotech Fellowship.

  • Ability to add this experience to your resume and your project to your art portfolio!

  • Opportunity to help shape future fellowships with your feedback.

Other considerations:

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  • This opportunity is open to individuals between the ages of 18 - 24 through an application process.

    • Artists must have an active PayPal account to receive compensation.

  • Due to space limitations, we will not be able to select all artists who apply. We encourage those who are not accepted to continue to apply to future opportunities.

  • Final art pieces created may not include the following:

    • Vulgar Imagery

    • Use of Profanity/Obscene language

    • Explicit Content

    • Substance abuse

    • Discriminatory language

Microscopic Cell Analysis

2025 Inaugural Offroute Art BioTech Fellowship Application

Birthday
What methods of transportation would you likely use to attend our in-person sessions (there are no right or wrong answers, this information helps us with planning):
If you are selected for the Fellowship, can you confirm that you are able to attend all 4 sessions? Because this fellowship is so short, it is mandatory to fully participate in each session.
Yes
No
Other

We ask the following questions to get a sense of who we are connecting with and identify who we might be missing so we can be sure to reach out more effectively. We value your right to self-identify, or not, so if you prefer not to answer, you are welcome to write “Prefer not to say.”

Next steps: We will email with a decision by December 16, 2024.
I understand
Next steps. If your art is not selected this time, we encourage you to try again in the future!
I understand
Values: I understand that Offroute is an inclusive and supportive community. I have read Offroute's mission, understand, and support its work to support emerging artists and to connect the wider public.
I understand
Payment: Artists are compensated via Paypal. If you are accepted, you must have an Paypal account set up.
I understand
Questions: If I have any questions about the process or need any clarification, I will email offrouteart@gmail.com. Email is our preferred method of contact.
I understand
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