About the Rydell Fellowship Program

In 2002, local artists, arts professionals and friends of the Rydells helped the Foundation create the Rydell Fellowship Program and organizational grants for visual arts organizations.

These programs are designed to honor the Rydells vision of art as beauty in the home, in the garden, and in the community; art that is inclusive of many forms, genres, and mediums and available to a broad audience. 

The fellowships are awarded solely on the merits of the artists' work. The artist must remain in the County during the year of their award.

Each of the eight fellows selected to date received a $20,000 award.

Eligible artists are nominated by regional visual arts organizations and final selection made by a panel of arts professionals.

Nominees are limited to working artists, 25 years of age or older, who reside in Santa Cruz County and are not enrolled in a degree program.

Interested artists should view the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.