Applications close August 21, 2026
The Artist Cultural Builders Fellowship is a paid leadership and professional development program designed to help San Francisco artists strengthen their creative practice, build sustainable careers, and create lasting impact in their communities.
Why This Fellowship
Whether you’re launching your artistic career, growing an established creative business, or looking to strengthen your leadership, this Fellowship is designed to help you take the next step.
The Details
Participate in a collaborative cohort experience featuring weekly workshops, peer learning, professional coaching, and hands-on learning.
Weekly Cohorts | September – November 2026
Artist Fellows who successfully complete the 10-week Fellowship will receive a $1,500 Completion Stipend in recognition of their commitment and participation.
Develop practical skills that strengthen both your artistic practice and your creative business, including branding, marketing, pricing strategies, financial literacy, contracts, grant readiness, and creative entrepreneurship.
Receive personalized coaching tailored to your artistic goals, business development, and professional growth.
Learn directly from experienced artists, entrepreneurs, creative professionals, and community leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities of building a successful creative career.
Build meaningful relationships with fellow artists, cultural organizations, creative businesses, and future collaborators while gaining access to professional opportunities throughout San Francisco’s creative ecosystem.
Artist Fellows who successfully complete the 10-week Fellowship receive complimentary grant writing support to help identify funding opportunities, strengthen grant applications, and secure resources that support long-term artistic and professional growth.
The Fellowship doesn’t end after ten weeks. Graduates continue receiving coaching, technical assistance, networking opportunities, professional referrals, complimentary grant writing support, and career guidance for six additional months as they continue building sustainable creative careers.
Skills & Development
Every workshop is designed to provide practical tools and real-world strategies that artists can immediately apply to their creative practice.
Who Should Apply
Beyond the Fellowship
Graduating from the Fellowship is only the beginning.
Share Your Expertise
The Artist Cultural Builders Fellowship is also seeking experienced artists, creative professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and industry experts to serve as workshop facilitators, mentors, and Artist Success Consultants.
If you’re passionate about sharing your knowledge, inspiring artists, and strengthening San Francisco’s creative community, we’d love to hear from you.
Facilitators lead engaging workshops, provide practical tools artists can immediately apply, and may have opportunities to provide one-on-one coaching, virtual office hours, follow-up workshops, and specialized consulting based on participant interest and program needs.
FAQ
No. The Fellowship is offered at no cost to selected participants.
Yes. Artist Fellows who successfully complete the 10-week Fellowship receive a $1,500 Completion Stipend.
The program includes a 10-week intensive Fellowship followed by six months of continued coaching, technical assistance, and professional support.
The Fellowship is open to San Francisco artists and creative entrepreneurs representing a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Fellowship workshops and activities take place at partner locations throughout San Francisco.
Graduates continue receiving six months of support, including coaching, networking opportunities, professional referrals, and complimentary grant writing support to help advance their creative careers.
Applications must be submitted by August 21, 2026.
Whether you’re interested in applying as an Artist Fellow or becoming a Facilitator, we’re here to help.
fellowship@nclfinc.org • 415-857-1136
Dr. James Lance Taylor is a Professor of Political Science at the University of San Francisco, where he also teaches in African American Studies, Critical Diversity Studies, and the Masters of Public Affairs and Urban Affairs programs.
A native of Glen Cove, Long Island, Dr. Taylor is the award-winning author of Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama, named an Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association.
His research focuses on the intersections of race, politics, religion, and social movements. He has published widely on historical figures including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Dr. Betty Shabazz.
Dr. Taylor is currently working on a new book exploring the Peoples Temple and Black politics in California. He regularly shares insights on platforms like NPR, KRON 4, and the Commonwealth Club.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Taylor contributes to public policy efforts in San Francisco, particularly around police reform and racial justice. He also serves as Vice President of San Francisco Achievers, supporting young Black men in the public school system.
Dr. Taylor lives with his family in Oakland, California.
“Prayer and being in service to others was the medicine I needed to lift myself up and find the beauty of living every day in gratitude.”
A proud native of San Francisco’s Fillmore District and an Air Force veteran, Phyllis Bowie has lived a life of transformation—from TV screens to frontline advocacy. After a decade as a lifestyle expert and interior designer in the entertainment industry, Bowie’s career took an unexpected turn when she lost her television contract and agent. Facing skyrocketing rent, she was nearly evicted from her apartment of 25 years.
Hitting rock bottom, Bowie applied for food stamps and feared homelessness—an experience shared by many veterans and Black San Franciscans. Watching her community suffer from gentrification, displacement, and declining Black home and business ownership, she knew she had to take action.
Phyllis launched her nonprofit Living with Phyllis—a local award-winning TV show and food blog that:
Today, she uses media to uplift underserved voices, highlighting programs like Market Match at the Fillmore Farmers Market and providing hope and practical solutions to those in need.
Phyllis focuses her community work on urban food access and education, especially in San Francisco’s Black communities. Her initiatives include:
Phyllis Bowie brings passion, resilience, and lived experience to NCLF’s board. She continues to serve with gratitude, joy, and a camera in hand, sharing stories and creating pathways for health and hope in the Fillmore and beyond.
“The most powerful moment of my life was becoming a community leader—serving the people of San Francisco and Oakland.”
— Katherine Campbell
Katherine Campbell’s commitment to community leadership began in 1969, after returning to San Francisco from a scholarship at Miami University. Inspired by the social movements of the time, she joined the Black Panther Party (BPP) and served as a member until 1978, receiving political education and community organizing experience that laid the foundation for her life’s work.
To better serve the community, Ms. Campbell earned certifications and degrees focused on social impact:
Katherine has worked across sectors to support vulnerable communities, including:
During her time with BPP, Katherine was involved in several key initiatives:
Katherine believes deeply in teamwork, ownership, and generational knowledge. From her early life, working with her mother and siblings to sustain their household, she understood the power of unity and shared purpose.
Her advice:
“Life is a building block. You have to build up to it. If you put your mind to it, you can do it.”
— Katherine Campbell
At just 21 years old, Jada Curry brings powerful lived experience, a passion for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to service as the Board Secretary for the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF).
Jada’s journey is rooted in strength—having experienced homelessness at age 10, she rose to become a leader and change-maker in her community.
Jada is currently pursuing a degree in Physics at the University of San Francisco, where she’s involved in multiple academic and community-focused initiatives:
She also holds Seat 7 on the DCYF Oversight & Advisory Committee, representing Transitional Age Youth.
Jada brings versatile experience to her role at NCLF, where she handles:
Past roles include:
Jada is accountable, compassionate, and leads with a servant’s heart. Her passion lies in creating access and opportunity for others, especially underserved youth. When she’s not working or studying, you can find her gaming or watching movies
A lifelong Fillmore resident and community advocate, Lily Robinson-Trezvant brings over 70 years of lived experience in San Francisco to her role as Board President of the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF).
Born in Galveston, Texas, Lily moved to San Francisco at the age of 3. She experienced firsthand the impact of urban renewal and displacement, having lost her family home to the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
Lily brings a practical, inclusive approach to leadership and a deep commitment to justice, equity, and community well-being. As Board President, she continues to champion NCLF’s mission with passion, persistence, and heart.
She is also a proud mother of four successful sons.
Hugh EMC Gregory is a proud native of San Francisco’s Fillmore District, raised in the Yerba Buena Plaza East Projects, famously known as the "Out of Control Projects." A true multi-hyphenate, Hugh is a community builder, music legend, and lifelong advocate for underserved neighborhoods.
Before stepping into community leadership, Hugh EMC made history as:
He rose to prominence alongside Rappin’ 4-Tay, shaping the city’s musical legacy and uplifting the voices of Fillmore artists.
As a founding member of the New Community Leadership Foundation (NCLF), Hugh has led transformative community work:
Hugh's deep commitment to service includes:
Hugh EMC is a visionary leader known for his compassion, persistence, and love for his community. Whether through music, mentorship, or mobilization, he’s spent a lifetime uplifting others and building spaces where people can thrive.
