Tom Lea Fellowship 2027
oil on canvas, 1964, 27in x 32in, Collection of
Dr. and Mrs. Robert B. Homan Jr. El Paso, TX.
The Tom Lea Research Fellows Program was established in 2013 by Dee and Adair Margo to encourage high level research using primary documents related to the art, literature and life of Tom Lea, a nationally renowned painter, illustrator, muralist, and author from El Paso whose works have been exhibited across the nation, including in the White House and at the El Paso Museum of Art. A classically trained artist, Lea’s work primarily communicates the environment and history of the Paso del Norte region of Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua. Fellows are expected to undertake a publication-quality research project focused on Tom Lea, his art, his writing, his role in the art of El Paso/ Texas /the United States, the classical ideas and training that informed his work, or theoretical premises that may relate to understanding Lea’s work. El Paso is home to the Tom Lea Institute (see the Resources for Fellows page), which is a superb resource and research repository and which offers research support to Tom Lea Fellows.
The College of Liberal Arts is accepting applications for the 2027 Tom Lea Research Fellows Program. Established in 2013 by Dee and Adair Margo, this competitive fellowship aims to encourage high level research using primary documents related to the art, literature, and life of Tom Lea.
Fellows are expected to undertake a publication quality research project focused on Tom Lea, his art, his writing, his influence in other artists’ work, the classical ideas and training that informed his literary and artistic production, or theoretical premises that may relate to understanding Lea’s work.
The Tom Lea Fellowship will award $3,500 per fellow. The award period is February 2027 to July 2027. In case the applications received do not meet this call’s expectations, fellowship funds will be transferred onto the next cycle. The fellowship is open to current graduate and undergraduate students, as well as faculty in any department or program in the College of Liberal Arts. Examples of projects that will be considered are:
· A scholarly work based on primary documents related to Tom Lea
· A scholarly or creative work that furthers the knowledge of Tom Lea (and his work, including his art, his writing, or other)
· A project that enlivens knowledge or understanding of the Tom Lea Trail or Lea’s work in a global context
· A project that contributes to Tom Lea curricula used at school districts in the El Paso area
Fellowship Requirements
Fellows are expected to utilize resources in the El Paso area, including the Tom Lea Institute, the El Paso Museum of Art, and the Special Collections at the UTEP Library. Preference will be given to projects that involve research at the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. To receive the total amount of the award, recipients of the fellowship will produce either a publishable research article in their academic field or a portfolio in the case of fine arts undergraduate student, submitted by December 1, 2027. This work is to be shared with the College of Liberal Arts, the fellowship donors, and the Tom Lea Institute. Fellows are responsible for any taxes that may arise from this award.
Application and Deadlines
Complete the application at the following link by 5:00 pm on December 1, 2026
Applicants will be notified of their award by January 15th, 2027
Students apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ZMzzNr4z0J
Faculty apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/CAiHC4x8Tx
Please direct application questions to Dr. Caitlyn Muniz at cnmuniz@utep.edu
Application checklist:
1. Application form
2. Research Proposal and Professional Narrative
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Tentative budget and timeline for research
5. One letter of recommendation from the student’s project advisor (for student applicants)
