Emerge was built for artists who are already making work — and ready to stop figuring it out alone.

• Are actively creating and want to generate more consistent income

• Are ready to be held accountable and take action

• Have the capacity to commit time and energy to growth

• Are open to feedback, structure, and change

Emerge probably isn't your moment yet if you:

• Are just beginning your art practice and are not selling work

• Are not currently able to commit time consistently

• Are in a period of major personal instability or crisis

The Framework A structured 5-month system — weekly virtual sessions, monthly in-person meetings, and a step-by-step curriculum covering pricing, marketing, cash flow, and the habits that make a creative career actually sustainable.

Real Tools + Ongoing Support You'll have the Emerge App, an accountability partner, a small group led by an Emerge Mentor, and access to expert resources on taxes, contracts, and running your business. After the framework, you get 1:1 strategy sessions and options to access vetted professional services at subsidized rates.

A Cohort That Shows Up Ten artists. All doing the work. You won't be figuring this out alone — you'll be surrounded by people who are building alongside you and holding you accountable.

Step 1: Submit Your Application
Complete the application below. This should take approximately 10–12 minutes.

Step 2: Application Review
Applications are reviewed based on:

• Quality and viability of work

• Current traction and effort

• Readiness to grow and take action

• Overall fit for the cohort

Step 3: Interview
Some applicants may be invited to a short interview to ensure alignment.

Step 4: Acceptance - By Friday, July 3rd
Selected artists will receive an invitation to join Emerge, along with next steps for enrollment and payment.

Applications Open: April 6, 2026
Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

Application Review + Interviews (if needed): Mid–late June 2026
Some applicants may be invited to a short virtual interview to ensure the program is a strong fit.

Final Decisions Sent: July 6, 2026

Onboarding + Orientation: Early August 2026
Accepted artists will begin onboarding and attend a required orientation session to prepare for the program.

Program Start: Early September 2026
The full Emerge cohort officially begins, including curriculum access, group sessions, and mentorship.

Program Duration: September 2026 – February 2027
5-month structured framework with built-in integration “off” weeks that coincide with the Holidays.

Post-Framework Support: March – August 2027
Continued access to the Emerge App, community, and ongoing support as artists implement and grow.

Emerge runs on a 5-month framework with ongoing support after. Here's what to expect week to week:

• Weekly 1-hour virtual session with your cohort

• Monthly 2-hour in-person meeting (DAC in Rehoboth for Sussex, Delaware Art Museum for New Castle)

• Independent work between sessions using the Emerge App — videos, tools, and exercises at your own pace

• Active participation in your cohort community

• Intentional breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Plan for 4–6 hours per week. Artists who get the most out of Emerge treat it like a standing appointment with their creative future — not something they fit in when there's time.

The full program investment is $2,500.

Is that a lot? Yes. And it's intentional. You're not buying access to a course library or a stack of pre-recorded videos. You're getting a year of real human support, a cohort of artists doing the work alongside you, and direct access to experts when you actually need them (not to mention 1:1 consulting!). Humans are expensive, and we think that's a good thing.

Thanks to support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, we're able to keep that investment from reaching what a year of art school would cost. Payment plans are available, and so is financial support for artists where cost is a genuine barrier.

Yes, and here's how we think about it.

Money is energy. So much of what Emerge teaches is how to conserve it, grow it, and make intentional decisions with it. That starts with your commitment to the program itself. We've tried offering Emerge for free before, and what we found is that without skin in the game, the transformation doesn't land the same way.

That said, we know cost can be a real barrier, and we don't want it to stop the right artist from applying. Thanks to support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, we have a limited number of subsidized spots available, in some cases as low as $750 for the full program, split into 4 monthly payments. It's competitive and need-based, not a discount for anyone who asks.

If that's you, request financial support in your application. We review every artist individually and we'll take it from there.

Cohort Schedule Expectations

Sussex Cohort

• Weekly Virtual Meetings: Wednesdays

• Monthly In-Person Meetings: First Wednesday of each month

New Castle Cohort

• Weekly Virtual Meetings: Thursdays

• Monthly In-Person Meetings: First Thursday of each month

Emerge is designed to support artists alongside busy schedules while still creating accountability, momentum, and meaningful connection throughout the cohort experience.