Naco Heritage Alliance (NHA), a nonprofit responsible for Camp Naco, a historic Buffalo Soldier Campsite located along the U.S.-Mexico border, is seeking artists, scholars, and scientists for a dynamic fellowship program.
We invite proposals from diverse disciplines—including historians, writers, other scholarly disciplines, written arts, visual arts, theatre, music, culinary arts, installation art and printmaking, industrial arts, textile arts, and media arts—that engage with the rich history of the camp and/or surrounding area, particularly the stories of African American military service, Indigenous communities, Mexican communities, and Borderlands experiences.
The fellowship provides an opportunity for selected arts and scholars to create work that highlights these narratives while encouraging innovation and original artistic expression. Projects should reflect a deep understanding of the cultural, historical, and ecological context of the Borderlands and/or Camp Naco and demonstrate a commitment to community engagement through performances, presentations, exhibitions, and/or workshops. The Fellowship will be completed by the end of 2025, with exact scheduling to be proposed and discussed with accepted fellows. We are open to projects that continue past 2025, but these projects must have prior approval to apply to be considered. Approval to apply does not necessarily constitute approved funding.
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that promote sustainability, foster meaningful connections with the local community, and integrate the arts and knowledge sharing in ways that support the long-term vitality of Camp Naco. Successful proposals will be those that celebrate the history of the space but also contribute to its legacy through accessible, thought-provoking artistic or scholarly experiences for all ages. Fellows will be expected to share their work with the community and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about Camp Naco’s significance. Through this fellowship, we aim to create a platform for new artistic and scholarly voices that inspire, empower, and engage both local and broader audiences in the ongoing cultural narrative of this site.
