Space is Limited. Don’t Miss Out!
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We are looking for the best and brightest aspiring artists from around the globe to enter our inaugural cohort.
College enrollment is not necessary to apply.
Raw talent will be considered equally.
KADIR NELSON INSTITUTE FOR YOUNG AND EMERGING ARTISTS (KNIYEA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is looking for the best and brightest from around the globe to participate in a competitive, all-expenses paid, two-week Summer Art Intensive Academy led by world-renowned artist and author, Kadir Nelson, and award-winning educator and socialpreneur, Dr. Jungmiwha Bullock N.
The KNIYEA Summer Art Intensive Academy 2026 is for serious college-aged artists between the ages of 17 - 22 who will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, oil painting, and best art business practices to compete in the global market. Rising high school seniors and recent college graduates are eligible to apply, however, enrollment in college is not necessary. This competitive academy includes hands-on art and business instruction, studio art, field trips, special guest lectures, and a culminating group exhibition.
All-expenses includes round trip airfare (or mileage reimbursement), ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, studio space, supplies, and modest stipends. The Academy takes place in Southern California.
APPLY NOW. Space is Limited.
Applications Open: Friday, April 24, 2026 (12:00 AM Pacific Standard Time)
Submission Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time)
Eligibility Form: All applicants must complete the eligibility form at the start of the application.
*NOTE: Late applications will NOT be accepted under any circumstances, including technical issues. Please plan ahead.
The KNIYEA Summer Art Intensive Academy 2026 is currently open to "college-aged applicants" between the ages of 17 - 22 (rising high school seniors and recent college graduates are eligible to apply).
Applicants DO NOT need to be enrolled in a current degree granting institution to apply.
Raw talent will be equally considered.
Prior experience with oil painting or business is not required, but a serious desire to learn new techniques and to pursue a potential future in the arts is a must.
All eligible artists are strongly encouraged to apply, including those individuals requiring accommodations (examples: ASL translators, foreign language, accessibility, etc.).
Should you have any questions, please reach out to the program at info@kadirnelsoninstitute.org as soon as possible. Due to volume, we will not be able to prioritize questions that are already answered or detailed in program materials.

KADIR NELSON is a world-renowned, award-winning American artist and author based in Southern California. His original paintings reside in the permanent collections of notable institutions including the United States House of Representatives, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Nelson has c
KADIR NELSON is a world-renowned, award-winning American artist and author based in Southern California. His original paintings reside in the permanent collections of notable institutions including the United States House of Representatives, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Nelson has created album cover artwork for Michael Jackson’s posthumous album, Michael, and Drake’s, Nothing Was the Same album. Nelson has also written and illustrated several NYT Best-Selling picture books including, “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball”, “The Undefeated,” and "BASKET BALL: The Story of the All-American Game."
Nelson’s Nelson’s primarily figurative paintings frequently appears on The New Yorker magazine, focusing on historical narratives and heroic subjects in American culture. His sumptuous settings and characters, rich palette, and realistic, painterly technique speaks to both modern urban realism and masterly works of the Old Masters and turn-of-the century American painters.

JUNGMIWHA BULLOCK N., PhD is a multidisciplinary scholar, civil and human rights advocate, author, entrepreneur, renowned diversity and education consultant, visual artist, and art broker. Dr. Bullock N. and her work has been featured on a number of nationally syndicated news programs, media outlets, and institutions, including NPR, ABC
JUNGMIWHA BULLOCK N., PhD is a multidisciplinary scholar, civil and human rights advocate, author, entrepreneur, renowned diversity and education consultant, visual artist, and art broker. Dr. Bullock N. and her work has been featured on a number of nationally syndicated news programs, media outlets, and institutions, including NPR, ABC, CBS, BBC, Time, Ebony, The
Washington Post, USA Today, Sotheby's Institute, and more. A social and political scientist by training, Dr. Bullock completed her PhD at the University of Southern California in the
interdisciplinary Department of American Studies & Ethnicity, with primary fields in Sociology and Political Science, integrating
both advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies. She also
holds advanced degrees in International Education and policy from New York University, and undergraduate degrees in
communications (advertising and public relations) and business
(marketing and business management) from Penn State University.
Rick Carter
Los Angeles, California
Don Clemons
Los Angeles, California
Leo Crane
London, England
Leslie Howard Gordon
Los Angeles, California
Elizabeth Parker
Baltimore, Maryland
Junko Yokota
Chicago, Illinois
IN ABSTENTIA
Courtney B. Vance
Los Angeles, California

The Kadir Nelson Institute for Young and Emerging Artists, Inc. (KNIYEA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing and empowering aspiring artists across the lifespan through education, mentorship, and opportunity. Your tax-deductible donation helps supports our programs to inspire creativity and build a brighter future for young and emerging talents.
PHOTOS FROM THE ARCHIVES: Kadir Nelson and Dr. Jungmiwha Bullock N. hosted a one-week Master Class in 2018 at the former University of the Arts, Philadelphia with talented illustration majors.
If you have questions about the opportunities available in our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
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