Since 1980, the department has maintained a graphic design fellowship program that provides recent graduates the opportunity to work in a professional design studio environment.

Fellows are employed full-time for one year and are assigned graphic design projects that range from developing graphic identities for specific programs and exhibitions, including the design of all related collateral materials, to assisting the design director and other designers with long-term projects such as exhibition catalogues and promotional campaigns. Fellows are involved in all aspects of the design process, including client meetings and presentations through production and supervision of printing.

Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, fellows come from graphic design programs throughout the United States and abroad. Fellows represent a diverse range of graphic design programs, such as Art Center College of Design, California College of Art, California Institute of the Arts, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Eastern Michigan University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, NC State University, Rhode Island School of Design, Royal College of Art, Werkplaats Typografie, and Yale University, among many others.

Program Specifics:
• Fellowships typically begin in September and last one year.
• Fellows work full-time in the department.
• Fellows are eligible to receive benefits such as paid vacation and sick days and health and disability insurance.
• Non-U.S. citizens must possess a valid work visa for the entire fellowship period.
• Applicants must possess a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree in graphic design.
• Macintosh proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator software is required.
• Knowledge of motion graphic applications and digital video production beneficial but not required.
• Interest in contemporary arts and current design and cultural issues desired.
• Successful applicants must have good communication and organizational skills and be able to meet tight deadlines.

How to apply:
Please submit a letter of interest, a résumé with the names and contact information of three references, a portfolio containing 8-10 examples of graphic design work, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your portfolio (if desired) to:

Design Department
Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403

2009-2010 Fellowship Deadline: June 8, 2009
All candidates will be notified of their application status by July 31. No phone calls please.

Salary
$23,750 per year with a relocation allowance and excellent benefits.

For more information contact us at: design.fellowship@walkerart.org, or see the section: Frequently Asked Questions.

AA/EOE

Frequently Asked Questions:
What format should the portfolio take?
Ideally, the portfolio will consist of 8-10 actual printed samples of work and/or photographs or digital prints. A project list can be attached which provides a brief summary of the works. Please be sure the works can be identified with the listed information. Time-based and interactive works can be submitted digitally on CD, DVD, or made available to us on-line for review.

Can the fellowship be shorter than one year?
No. Because of the extensive training and preparation the studio undertakes to train fellows, a one-year commitment is necessary.

Can I apply for the fellowship while I'm still in school?
Since the fellowship is decided in the summer and begins in the fall, only those individuals who have graduated or will have graduated by the time the fellowship begins should apply.

What kinds of projects do fellows work on?
Fellows work on a variety of projects representing a full-range of the departments at the Walker—whether film/video screenings, performing arts events, visual arts exhibitions, new media initiatives, or educational programs. These can vary in size and scope from a postcard invitation to a multiple-page brochure to a series of collateral pieces for an exhibition. Fellows also assist other graphic designers in the department with long-term projects such as exhibition catalogues and promotional campaigns.

What is the review process?
The entire department meets to review all complete applications. Typically, a short-list of finalists is assembled and is invited to interview on-site with members of the department. During this visit, candidates are requested to present their work and are invited to view the work of the department. Offers are made to successful candidates.

When will I know if I am a finalist?
We will notify all candidates of their disposition by July 31.

Can I interview even if I am not a finalist?
Unfortunately, because of the number of applicants and to maintain fairness in the review process, we are unable to conduct interviews with all of our applicants.

Flat files #2: A year of work represented http://blogs.walkerart.org/design/2007/11/11/flat-files-2-year-work-represented/ Walker blogs, Design: Flat Files

Flat Files #2 http://blogs.walkerart.org/design/2007/11/13/flat-files-2/ Walker blogs, Design: Flat Files

2008/2009 Walker Art Center Design Fellowship http://blogs.walkerart.org/design/2008/04/05/20082009-walker-art-center-design/ Walker blogs, Design: Bulletin Board

2009/2010 Walker Art Center Design Fellowship http://blogs.walkerart.org/design/2009/04/03/20092010-walker-art-center-design-fellowship/ Walker blogs, Design: Bulletin Board