What is Polar STEAM for Artists & Writers? 

Polar STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, is not just a national program but a journey for all of us to get closer to what is so physically distant, to understand the Polar regions and its people, and to commit to share what we learn with the world so others too can let their curiosity thrive.  

The Antarctic Artists & Writers program facilitates deployments to the Antarctic for creative practitioners within the arts and humanities.  Collaborations between polar researchers and artists and writers help increase the public’s understanding of and appreciation for human and scientific endeavors in Antarctica through the resulting works. Polar STEAM welcomes applications from working artists, writers, and creative practitioners in a variety of genres, from traditional to experimental. You can view 2025–26 fellows as well as those from past years on the website.

This application is for four to eight weeks during the 2026–27 Antarctic summer season, typically October through February, with a possible option for early season (August through September). In the past two seasons, deployments have been 6-8 weeks in length.

Because the potential creative scope of projects will be determined in part by logistical considerations in the remote Antarctic environment, we strongly encourage applicants to attend the informational webinar on Wednesday, April 30 at 2PM Pacific or to view the recording in order to prepare the strongest possible application. Information about the webinar is posted on the "Apply Now" page of the Polar STEAM website.

Before applying, please read the FAQs on the Polar STEAM website. 

The L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowship offers Oregon State University faculty researchers working in any field of science or engineering a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative inquiry alongside a professional artist, creative writer or humanities scholar. These open collaborations have the potential to support projects that enable us to better understand the world, envision more just futures, and address complex challenges. Fellows and paired collaborators will partner on curiosity-driven exploration of questions and ideas central to their shared interests. Most teams will develop their project over a year, though projects can be extended to accommodate things like field work. PRAx will partner with the team to coordinate and promote public events showcasing the process and outcomes of the fellowship. 

The process of pairing artists, writers and humanities scholars with faculty fellows will be led by PRAx staff. We use the following broad definitions to identify collaborators: 

• arts to include visual arts, performing arts, media arts
• creative writing to include fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry.  
• humanities to include academic disciplines that explore and interpret human culture, focusing on aspects like language, literature, history, ethics and philosophy. 

Artists, writers, and humanities scholars selected for this program will have:

• A compelling visual, performative, multimedia, or written creative or scholarly practice.
• An interest in scientific or technical research and discoveries.
• An openness to multi- or interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Commitment to learn alongside the faculty fellow in lab or fieldwork activities and to involve the fellow in artistic investigations, the creative process, humanities research and experiments when appropriate.

All OSU faculty members with active research portfolios who are interested in working alongside an artist, creative writer or humanities scholar to discover creative synergies and new ways of thinking about their research are encouraged to apply. If you have questions, contact Joy Jensen at joy.jensen@oregonstate.edu.
 

ELIGIBILITY

Oregon State University faculty with active research portfolios working in science or engineering are welcome to apply.
 

TERMS & EXPECTATIONS

The nature of the collaborative relationship in this program is complementary rather than supplementary. This fellowship thrives on clear communication and mutual respect, deep curiosity about inquiry and research, and openness to new experiences or unexpected insights.  

     Fellows will:

• Involve the artist, writer or humanities scholar in research activities, immersive lab or field work experiences, and relevant gatherings valuable to understanding the discipline.
• Participate in “reverse residency” activities by learning about the artist’s, writer’s or scholar’s methods of inquiry, experimentation, and creative practice.
• Work with PRAx staff and the artist, writer, or humanities scholar to develop a work plan and budget.
• Participate in quarterly online check-ins with program leaders. These can be online or in-person.
• Participate in public programming and events connected with the fellowship.
• Submit a brief final reflection on the experience (3 pages max) and provide programmatic feedback throughout the fellowship.
   

FELLOWSHIP OFFERINGS

Fellows will receive:

• A unique opportunity to learn alongside an artist, writer, or humanities scholar who is interested in their research by engaging in collaborative methods of inquiry and experimentation that can lead to new perspectives, insight, and forms of outreach.
• Consistent communication and support from PRAx staff on fellowship activities.
• Support in coordinating and showcasing the process and outcomes of the fellowship. These may take any or several of a variety of forms: a public presentation, performance, installation, short film, lectures, panel discussion, small publications, etc. We will work with fellows and artists, writers, or humanities scholars to shape mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Depending on the term of the fellowship (1-2 years) and the scope of the project, fellows will receive up to $15,000 per year and will give at least 75% of that funding to the artist to support their time, travel and material costs.
   

PROGRAM & APPLICATION DATES

• June 13, 2025: Application window closes.
• July 12, 2025: Applicants notified of status.
• July and August, 2025: Researchers are paired with artists, writers, or humanities scholars.  
• October 2025: Program Orientation. Fellowship begins.
• October 2026 and beyond: Public event(s) featuring the process and work from your collaboration.

REVIEW AND SELECTION:  

Applications will be reviewed by a diverse selection committee from relevant fields. Applicants will be notified of status by July 12, 2025. This program will open for application annually. If you are not awarded a 2025 Stewart Faculty Fellowship, we encourage you to re-apply.

PARTNERS & COSPONSORS

L.L. Stewart Faculty Fellowships are supported by the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) and funded by the Office of the Provost and the Mary Jones and Thomas Hart Horning Endowment.