Key Takeaways
- The United States Artists (USA) has announced 50 artists and collectives for its 2026 USA fellowships, spanning 10 disciplines.
- Six visual artists have been awarded fellowships, including Edra Soto, Eric-Paul Riege, Macon Reed, Maia Chao, Mercedes Dorame, and Raheleh Filsoofi.
- The USA Fellowship awards artists $50,000 in unrestricted cash to support their lives and practices.
- The Berresford Prize was awarded to Lori Lea Pourier (Oglala Lakota), founder of the First People’s Fund, for her work supporting artists.
- The USA Fellowship program has awarded $53 million to over 1,000 individuals since its launch in 2006.
Introduction to the USA Fellowships
The United States Artists (USA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 USA fellowships, recognizing 50 artists and collectives across 10 disciplines. This prestigious award is a testament to the organization’s commitment to supporting artists and their vital role in shaping the cultural landscape of the country. The fellowships are awarded to artists who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to their craft, and the recipients are given $50,000 in unrestricted cash to support their lives and practices. This allows them the freedom to pursue their creative vision without the burden of financial constraints.
The 2026 Fellowship Recipients
This year’s fellowship recipients include six visual artists who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Edra Soto, a Chicago-based artist, is the director of outdoor project space The Franklin, and her work explores social and political power structures. Her new installation, "the place of dwelling," is set to open at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in January 2026. Maia Chao, based in Philadelphia, creates performance and video work that documents the lives of people in the U.S. with an anthropological approach, and she will be participating in the 2026 Whitney Biennial. Other recipients include Mercedes Dorame, a photographer who draws inspiration from her Tongva ancestry; Raheleh Filsoofi, a nomadic artist who focuses on immigration and social activism; Macon Reed, a New Orleans-based artist known for her large-scale installations that explore queerness and feminism; and Eric-Paul Riege, a New Mexico-based artist who uses fiber and textiles to create giant installations and sculptures inspired by his Indigenous heritage.
The Berresford Prize
In addition to the fellowships, the USA also awarded the Berresford Prize to Lori Lea Pourier (Oglala Lakota), the founder of the First People’s Fund. This prize honors a single cultural practitioner for their work supporting artists, and Pourier’s dedication to promoting Indigenous arts and culture has made her a deserving recipient. The Berresford Prize is a testament to the importance of recognizing and supporting the individuals who work behind the scenes to promote and advocate for artists.
The Impact of the USA Fellowship Program
The USA Fellowship program has had a significant impact on the lives and careers of the artists who have received the award. Since its launch in 2006, the program has awarded $53 million to over 1,000 individuals, providing them with the financial support and recognition they need to pursue their creative vision. Previous recipients include notable artists such as Howardena Pindell, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, and Gala Porras-Kim, who have gone on to achieve great success and recognition in their respective fields. The program’s commitment to unrestricted support has enabled artists to take creative risks, experiment with new ideas, and define their own paths forward.
The Craft Category
The craft category also honored six artists, including Anina Major, Anthony Sonnenberg, Corey Pemberton, Norwood Viviano, Robell Awake, and Xenobia Bailey. These artists have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to their craft, and their work reflects the diversity and richness of the craft tradition. The recognition of these artists is a testament to the importance of craft in the broader cultural landscape, and the ways in which it continues to evolve and innovate.
Conclusion
The announcement of the 2026 USA fellowships is a celebration of the talented artists who are shaping the cultural landscape of the United States. The recipients of the fellowships and the Berresford Prize are a testament to the diversity and richness of the artistic community, and the important role that artists play in promoting creativity, innovation, and social change. As Judilee Reed, president and CEO of United States Artists, noted, "Our commitment to unrestricted support, with programs such as the USA Fellowship, has enabled artists across every discipline and place to sustain their livelihoods, take creative risks, and define their own paths forward." The USA Fellowship program is a vital resource for artists, and its impact will be felt for years to come.