2026 Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts Regional Glass Artist Travel Scholarship Application

Foci MCGA was built on the desire to gather people to explore the creative potential of glass and break down barriers to accessing glass art education, equipment, and resources. 

Leaning into this value of access, Foci MCGA and community partners Paul Cowdery, Julie Perrine, Michael Boyd and Bicycle Glass are launching an annual scholarship program for local glass artists. This annual scholarship is designed to provide MN glass artists with the financial resources needed to make high-level glass art education, requiring travel, accessible. Scholarship recipients are encouraged to attend Pilchuck, Corning, Pittsburgh Glass Center,  Penland School of Crafts, or Haystack Mountain School of Crafts with their scholarship, but other educational opportunities can be approved upon request. 

The scholarship recipients will receive between $1,000- $3,000 (amount determined by need and number of qualified applicants) to be used to attend a spring or summer workshop or learning experience of their choice. Scholarships need to be used between March 1, 2026 and August 1, 2026. A final report will be required and due to Foci MCGA by August 31, 2026. 

Quote From 2025 Travel Scholarship Recipient Abbey Uffelman

“Being able to go to Pilchuck this summer was impactful in ways I wasn’t even expecting. Despite having an idea of what I was going into, it exceeded expectations by giving me the opportunity to create new connections and friendships, learn new techniques, and above all, gave me more confidence in my abilities which I will take with me. On this trip, I established new connections to some of the best technical glass workers, and came out with a ton of new kiln casting knowledge, while also having time and energy to really think critically about my art practice. Across the board, this was a very special session I would not have been a part of had this new scholarship not been available.” 

Applications will be due  December 1, 2025
For inquiries, please contact the Program Manager kagen.dunn@mnglassart.org.

Eligibility

• You must be a glass artist already or be incorporating glass into your work already.

• You must be an artist that lives within Minnesota or outside Minnesota, but no farther than 75 miles away from Foci MCGA.

• You are not a current staff or board member of Foci MCGA.

Application Process

There is no fee to apply. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The following materials must be submitted online through the online portal:

• Information on applicant history and experience with glass

• Information on applicant desired outcomes

• Information on the specific learning experience the applicant will attend with the scholarship support

• Applicant bio

• 5 images of the applicant’s work

• Applicant headshot 

The 2026 scholarship is made possible by the generous contributions from Paul Cowdery, Julie Perrine, Michael Boyd, and Bicycle Glass.