Community Fellows FAQ
What is the Engaged City?
This initiative is a cultural asset mapping project that aims to uplift the cultural knowledge, places, people, and practices that define St. Louis. Rather than reinforce divisions, we’re working with community members to co-create publicly accessible maps that visualize the richness of St. Louis’s cultural landscape.
2. What is cultural asset mapping?
Cultural asset mapping is a process where communities identify and document the cultural resources, strengths, and activities they already have. It’s like creating a map of what matters most in your community—from artists, storytellers, and traditions to parks, murals, festivals, and more. By highlighting these existing assets, we build a foundation for deeper connection, reflection, and community-informed planning.
3. Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Open to anyone 18+ at any career stage, residing in the Greater St. Louis region.
4. Do I have to be WashU Affiliated to apply?
No, all are welcome to apply.
5. I don’t have an academic background or formal training; can I still apply?
Yes. We welcome and encourage applications from artists, organizers, culture bearers, storytellers, neighborhood leaders, and anyone with a deep connection to their community. You do not need a degree, academic title, or professional affiliation to apply.
6. Can collaborative teams apply together?
No. The fellowship is intended to support individuals. While applicants may collaborate with others during the residency, each fellow must apply independently and will be selected individually.
7. What is the expected time commitment?
Fellows should expect to spend approximately 10-15 hours per week in-person during their residency, in addition to independent work on their project. Each fellow will be affiliated with one of three centers, Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity, Center for the Humanities, and the Office for Socially Engaged Practice, and will occasionally meet on-site. This does not require daily attendance but allows for a relationship between the fellow and the space.
Center for the Humanities – Focuses on research, teaching, and public engagement in the humanities.
Office for Socially Engaged Practice – Supports collaborative art, design, and architecture projects rooted in community partnerships.
Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE²) – Advances research and public work focused on race, ethnicity, and equity.
Each center offers a unique perspective and resources to support the fellow’s while in residency.
8. What is the stipend for the fellowship and how can it be used?
Fellows will receive an unrestricted stipend of $20,000 over the course of the fellowship term. It is a taxable income, paid directly to the individual. It is intended to support fellow’s time, work, or related expenses.
9. What is the “I Am Saint Louis” Missouri Historical Society Fellowship?
The “I Am St. Louis” Fellow will connect the Engaged City fellowship with the Missouri Historical Society’s “I Am St. Louis” initiative, linking historical collections with community knowledge to open new pathways for research, storytelling, and
public engagement. “I Am St. Louis” is a civic identity campaign designed to build a deeper sense of place attachment to the St. Louis region.
The Fellow will work with MHS and the Engaged City team to develop a mutually agreed-upon project that draws on materials housed in the MHS Library and Research Center and other associated archives. The project will connect archival and museum collections to the Engaged City cultural asset mapping project.
Applicants interested in this category are encouraged to visit the MHS Library and Research Center or explore the online collections to assess what materials are available in the archives.
Examples might include: MHS St. Louis Public Schools Photograph Collection Richard Reilly, Social Protest Photograph Collection, Katherine Dunham Costume Collection (Available online and in person).
10. How will fellows be selected?
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee appointed by the Engaged City team.
11. When is the deadline to submit the application?
The last day to apply for the fellowship is September 9th, 2026 at 11:59pm. Click here to submit an application.
12. Will I receive feedback on my application?
Due to the anticipated large volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
13. Who do I contact for additional questions not answered within the FAQ?
For additional questions, please contact Julia Clark, project coordinator at theengagedcity@wustl.edu