The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers is an international fellowship program open to people whose work will benefit directly from access to the collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building—including academics, independent scholars, and creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets). Visual artists at work on a book project are also welcome to apply. In addition to working on their own projects, the Fellows engage in an ongoing exchange of ideas within the Center and in public forums throughout the Library.
The Center awards fellowships to outstanding academics, creative writers, and independent scholars whose work requires a period of sustained, intense immersion in the collections of one of the world’s great research libraries, as well as time away from their normal duties. It provides Fellows with resources to pursue the solitary work of study and writing, while at the same time creating a vibrant intellectual community rich in cross-disciplinary exchange. Moreover, crucial collaboration takes place between Center Fellows and the Library’s staff. Individual curators and research librarians help guide Fellows to materials they might not otherwise find, and the questions Fellows pursue often lead to new discoveries by Library staff members as well as to enhanced collection development.
Behind the founding of the Center lies the conviction that first-rate scholarly and literary work will enrich the lives of individuals across a wide social and cultural spectrum. Through the impressive and growing list of books published by Fellows based on their time at the Library, and through diverse public programs, the Center actively promotes The New York Public Library’s larger mission of advancing knowledge, curiosity, and access to its superb collections.
