What is LEAF?
The Longfellow Emerging Artist Fellowship (LEAF) is a bold new initiative from One Longfellow Square designed to support the artistic and professional growth of early-career musicians based in Maine.
Launching officially in January 2026, LEAF is a year-long fellowship offered to five Maine-based artists who are ready to deepen their craft, expand their network, and build a sustainable future in the music industry.
Our Mission
We believe that local artists deserve the opportunity to thrive – not just survive – in their creative careers. LEAF was created to fill the gaps in support for emerging musicians: offering time, space, mentorship, financial resources, and the chance to be seen and heard by new audiences.
This program is grounded in equity, collaboration, and long-term impact, not just for artists, but for Maine’s cultural landscape as a whole.
Designed with Intention
LEAF is the result of deep listening – through interviews with artists, venue operators, industry professionals, and community stakeholders. We’ve partnered with organizations such as Friends of Congress Square Park, Hackmatack Playhouse, Resurgam Festival, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, and All Roads Music Festival to ensure Fellows have diverse opportunities to grow and share their work.
This is a pilot program, and we’re building it with care and flexibility to meet real needs. Fellows will help shape what LEAF becomes in the years ahead!
Timeline
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
- Notification of Artist Selection: November 1, 2025
- Fellowship Begins: January 1, 2026
- Fellowship Ends: January 31, 2027
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Longfellow Emerging Artist Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be a current Maine resident at the time of application and throughout the fellowship period.
- Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Identify as an “emerging” artist. While we understand this term can be subjective, we are looking for artists who are early in their professional music career, are developing their unique voice, and demonstrate significant potential for growth and impact. This typically means you are not yet widely recognized nationally or internationally, have not regularly performed in rooms/venues exceeding a capacity of 50-100, and are actively seeking opportunities for professional development and exposure.
- Demonstrate a commitment to their musical practice and a clear vision for how the fellowship will support their artistic development.
- Be available to participate in fellowship activities within the Greater Portland area and across the state of Maine, which may include mentorship sessions, workshops, an artist retreat, and public performances/presentations throughout the fellowship period.
Application Review Process
Submitted LEAF applications will undergo a thorough review, beginning with staff verification for completeness and adherence to the above eligibility criteria. Following this initial stage, each application will be reviewed and scored by at least two members of a diverse, volunteer panel of arts and culture professionals and OLS community members.