Open Positions
There are two distinct tracks here. Seattle Prize fellowships follow the fall application cycle. Immediate studio positions are rolling and focused on helping Andrew execute directed figurative work at the Occidental Fine Arts Center in Pioneer Square.
Location
Seattle, Washington
Occidental Fine Arts Center, Pioneer Square
Fellowship Tracks
2 long-cycle tracks
Seattle Prize applications for Fall 2026
Hiring Now
2 immediate studio roles
Rolling applications for on-site support positions
Seattle Prize Fellowships
These are year-long fellowship tracks with a later start date and a dedicated Seattle Prize application. They are separate from the immediate studio positions below.
A collaborative fine art fellowship where 7 painters spend a year working on the most ambitious project of their lives. The target: world-class, museum-quality modern representational art. Mostly figurative. Rooted in craft, meaning, and the conviction that serious handmade painting still has the power to move people.
Compensation
$50,000-$80,000 annual stipend (paid monthly as salary)
Commitment
Full-time fellowship, 12 months
Start
September 2026
Deadline
May 7, 2026
Ideal for: Figurative painters with classical training who are ready to dedicate a full year to creating the best work of their careers, surrounded by a committed cohort of peers.
A higher-stipend fellowship track for painters who want to grow through close collaboration with the Artistic Director while maintaining their own creative practice.
Compensation
$60,000-$80,000 annual stipend (paid monthly as salary)
Commitment
Full-time fellowship, 9-12 months
Start
September 2026
Deadline
May 7, 2026
Ideal for: Technically strong figurative painters excited by the master-apprentice model and comfortable contributing to a larger artistic vision.
Immediate Studio Positions
These are the active openings for painters helping execute Andrew Conru's compositions and large figurative works. They are rolling, on-site, and route to a dedicated studio application.
Current studio funnel: this is for artists assisting with execution, underpainting, tonal studies, and studio production work. It is not the same as joining the separate commission roster for self-directed project work.
Hands-on painting work on large-scale figurative paintings originated by the Artistic Director. This role focuses on underpainting, tonal studies, build-up layers, and sustained studio execution.
Compensation
$40-$60 per hour depending on skill level and speed
Commitment
Contract, 20-40 hours per week
Start
Immediate start
Deadline
Rolling until filled
Ideal for: Painters with occidental training or strong classical figurative skills who want real production work inside an active Seattle studio.
A studio support role for an early-career painter or advanced art student who wants real hands-on experience inside a professional figurative painting environment.
Compensation
$25-$35 per hour
Commitment
Part-time, 15-25 hours per week
Start
Immediate start
Deadline
Rolling
Ideal for: Motivated emerging painters looking for direct exposure to studio practice, materials, and a pathway into higher-level fellowship or commission opportunities.
Separate Commission Roster
If you want to be considered later for project-based commission work where you are carrying more of the painting yourself, use the separate commission roster application instead of the studio positions application.
Apply to commission roster