2025 van lier fellowship in music

The Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) is pleased to administer, with support from the New York Community Trust, the 2025 Van Lier Fellowship. This year, the fellowship will be awarded to two NYC-based Asian American Musicians – in the categories of Music Composition and Music Performance – who seek to make an impact on the Asian American community to help develop new or existing work.

A4’s mission is to ensure greater representation, equity, and opportunities for Asian American artists and cultural organizations through resource sharing, promotion, and community building. In line with these efforts, it is the aim of the A4 Van Lier Fellowship to support early-career individual Asian American artists living in New York City to develop work that will help fuel Asian American and creative discourse.

Created by the will of Sally Van Lier, the Trust carries out Edward and Sally Van Lier’s legacy of arts appreciation by supporting arts groups and training programs to provide education, training, or other support to young artists.

The Van Lier Fellowship is awarded to two early-career Asian American artists, age 30 or younger at the start of the fellowship. The fellows will receive an unrestricted cash stipend of $7,500 each and an eight-month fellowship tailored to respond to the unique needs of their practice. The fellowship includes artistic mentorship with an established or mid-career music professional, career coaching, and a range of technical support.

Fellowship Description:

In addition to the cash stipend of $7,500, the fellow will participate in an eight-month program beginning in May 2025 and ending in December 2025. The fellowship is structured in three phases, each facilitating a different area of professional development.

Phase 1: Career Coaching

May – July 2025

The selected fellows will receive a minimum of three coaching sessions from an esteemed career coach. The coaching will cover core value strengthening and goal setting/vision planning. These sessions are meant to offer personal and professional development tools for the fellows to empower themselves as a leader of their vision, craft, and field.

Phase 2: Artistic Mentorship

July – September 2025

The selected fellows will receive artistic mentorship from an established or mid-career music professional. The mentorship will include one-on-one meetings with the appointed mentor. The mentor will be chosen by A4 staff based on field recommendations and with input from the fellows, giving consideration to their interests and preferences.

Phase 3: A4 Public Program

October – December 2025

The selected fellows will work with A4 staff to develop and present one community workshop or public presentation by December 2025 based on their experience with the fellowship or work generated through the process. A4 can support up to $1,000 in production funds and help make connections with venue partners.