Calling all performing artists, musicians, actors, visual artists, and other creative scholars and practitioners! America's oldest cultural institution, the Library Company of Philadelphia welcomes applications for a new grant that seeks to critically and creatively engage our African American history collections.

The newly-launched Francis Johnson Fellowships will support two fellows—one creative practitioner and one academic humanist—who will delve into the compositions of one of the most popular black composers prior to the American Civil War, Francis Johnson.

These fellows will be encouraged to collaborate as they explore a manuscript book of 80 compositions (many unpublished) as well as other printed materials held at both the Library Company and at the Kislak Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Each Francis Johnson Fellow will receive a stipend of $5000 to support research this summer; a $2500 research fund to be defined by the fellow and program director; travel expenses (up to $500); and lodging at the Library Company's Cassatt House residence for four to eight weeks.

To apply, email a proposal (no more than 1000 words) plus a preliminary budget and timeline, resume or c.v., and one letter of reference to wfenton@librarycompany.org by March 1.

For more information, visit the Francis Johnson Fellowship webpage using the external link below or email Will Fenton at wfenton@librarycompany.org.