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Fellowship Program

2024 Fellowships

Saddle Making with Nancy Martiny

Rawhide Braiding with Teresa Black

Horsemanship with Barbra Schulte

Fine Art with Shawn Cameron

Ranching with Terry Forst

Silversmithing with Nevada Miller

2024 Fellowship applications are now closed. Recipients will be notified no later than March 15, 2024.

How to Apply for a Fellowship

 

The Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Program will encourage, promote and invest in the development of emerging artists and makers engaged in the unique arts, trades, and horsemanship of the western lifestyle while celebrating tradition and inspiring innovation through mentorship from established leaders in their fields. Through this program, Art of the Cowgirl will foster creativity and will work to preserve traditional art techniques and functional gear.

The Fellowship Program is Tammy Pate’s original dream of providing an opportunity for western artists to work with masters — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn or refine their passion with some of the most talented makers in the business. Whether it be a fine art, functional trade or horsemanship, these fellowships will enrich, empower and educate while honoring our western heritage. The fellowship seeks to remove obstacles such as funding and access for up and coming artists, without restriction of age or location.

Applications for 2024 Fellowships are now closed.

Guidelines

Art of the Cowgirl provides the following for each Fellowship Recipient:

  • Teaching fees
  • Materials and supplies
  • Room and board (if provided by the Master)
  • Travel
  • Housing

Recipients must be 18 years of age or older and must be able to complete their fellowship before December 31st of their award year.

While individuals may apply for fellowships more than once, selected recipients may not be awarded fellowship more than once.

Recipient Requirements
  •  18 years of age or older
  • Able to complete fellowship before Dec. 31st of 2024.
  • Able to attend and present work at Art of the Cowgirl event in 2025. 
  • Meet minimum skill and experience requirement as determined by Master.
  • Applications will require: Art of the Cowgirl fellowship application, pictures of recent work and/or video demonstrating minimum skill requirements
  • Recipient awarded will be required to have signed releases and proof of health insurance
Program Details
  • Recipient will receive: supplies and materials, travel, room and board at Master’s location, travel expenses to Art of the Cowgirl event for presentation 2025.
  • Each recipient will have a completed piece of work or agreed upon task at conclusion of fellowship period
  • Recipients will be required to complete fellowships in the 2024 calendar year and present work at the 2025 Art of the Cowgirl event
  • Recipients will be required to donate a completed piece for the 2025 Fellowship Auction
  • Recipients will be required to sign contracts and releases before funds will be released 
  • Recipients will be chosen by Fellowship Selection committee

2024 Fellowship Applications are now closed! Recipients will be notified no later than March 15th, 2024. Thank you to all who applied!

A Word from Tammy Pate

It’s no secret that women have played a significant role in ranching and the western way of life. Most of today’s successful ranchers and western artisans have wonderful stories to tell about a wife, mother or grandmother who influenced their lives.

Art of the Cowgirl is designed to spotlight these wonderful women while sharing the stories of their families, marriages and partnerships that in turn shaped them.

Please join us as we celebrate, gather and connect Western women around horses and western art. We will feature female makers, master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddlemakers and horsewomen. The event will not only provide entertainment and honor women of the west, but will also provide fellowships to individuals to further their knowledge with master artists in the trade of choice. The contributions of these cowgirl makers are truly worth celebrating and we look forward to sharing them with you.

With Cowgirl Spirit at Heart,

Tammy Pate, Founder of Art of the Cowgirl

Fellowship Donations

Our Mission
Our purpose is Two Fold as Art of the Cowgirl not only Celebrates Accomplished Artisans and Horsewomen, but Provides Funding for Emerging Artists in the development of their Crafts and Businesses.

Art of the Cowgirl is a gathering to celebrate cowgirls and their contributions to the western lifestyle and culture through workshops, horsemanship clinics, an all-girl ranch rodeo and horse sale. It will be the avenue through which funds will be generated to support emerging artists and expand their knowledge and skills through fellowships and mentoring by Master Artists in their respective fields.

The Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Program will encourage, promote and invest in the development of emerging artists and makers engaged in the unique arts, trades, and horsemanship of the western lifestyle while celebrating tradition and inspiring innovation through mentorship from established leaders in their fields. Through this program, Art of the Cowgirl will foster creativity and will work to preserve traditional art techniques and functional gear.

Art of the Cowgirl is proud to announce that we have been granted 501(c)(3) status and now have the

Art of the Cowgirl Foundation.

We are now able to accept tax deductible contributions directly, which will be used to fund our Fellowship program.
Email  to donate.

Foundation Sponsors