Fields Artists Fellowship

Advancing artist's careers and sustaining their commitment to community.

The Fields Artist Fellowship was created to support individuals who address important issues in their communities and create meaningful change through creativity and cultural expression. 

The program was established in partnership with Oregon Humanities in 2019 with the goal of bringing increased access, community impact, and visibility to Oregon-based artists and culture bearers while helping OCF and OH explore support structures for cultural leaders across the state.

Fields Artist Fellowships are awarded approximately every two years. The 2019 and 2021 cohorts were awarded $100,000 per fellow over two years to advance their careers and develop creative and meaningful responses to the opportunity gap in Oregon. In 2021, eight additional finalists also received $10,000 in support of their work.

Meet the 2021-23 Fields Fellows.

Meet the 2019-21 Fields Fellows.

Learn more about the application and selection process.

If you have questions about the program or would like to explore how your community or organization can partner with the fellows, please contact Crystal Akins Meneses at crystal@oregonhumanities.org.

About Fred W. Fields

The Fields Artist Fellowship is supported by The Fred W. Fields Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. The fund was established in 2012 with gifts totaling roughly $150 million from the estate of Fred W. Fields to support education and the arts.

Born in Alexandria, Indiana, Fred Fields studied engineering at Indiana University and Purdue University. In 1947, Fields went to work for Coe Manufacturing Company, which designed and constructed machinery that milled veneer, plywood, and other products. Fields purchased Coe in 1976 and headed the company until 2000, when he sold it. Fields met and married Suzanne Schoenfeldt in 1958. He and Sue believed that art stretches the imagination and drives new ideas. 

“Fred’s humble roots shaped his life. He was never extravagant, though he had the means to be. He instead wanted to use his wealth to support causes that he and his wife, Sue, felt strongly about. His bequest will continue this legacy of generosity and we will be a better state for it,” said Fields estate trustee Bill Tagmyer.