Key Takeaways
- The United States Artists (USA) has announced 50 artists and collectives as recipients of its 2026 USA fellowships, across 10 disciplines.
- The fellowships award $50,000 in unrestricted cash to each recipient, allowing them to decide how to support their lives and practices.
- The Berresford Prize was awarded to Lori Lea Pourier, 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.
- The 2026 fellowships include six visual artists: Edra Soto, Eric-Paul Riege, Macon Reed, Maia Chao, Mercedes Dorame, and Raheleh Filsoofi.
Introduction to the USA Fellowships
The United States Artists (USA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 USA fellowships, with 50 artists and collectives selected across 10 disciplines. This prestigious award recognizes the importance of artists in shaping the imagination and health of society. The USA Fellowship provides $50,000 in unrestricted cash to each recipient, giving them the freedom to decide how best to support their lives and practices. This approach allows artists to take creative risks, sustain their livelihoods, and define their own paths forward.
The Berresford Prize and Its Recipient
In addition to the USA Fellowships, the Berresford Prize was awarded to Lori Lea Pourier, the founder of the First People’s Fund. This prize honors a single cultural practitioner for their work supporting artists. Pourier, an Oglala Lakota, has dedicated her career to promoting the work of Native American artists and preserving their cultural heritage. Her organization, the First People’s Fund, provides grants and support to Native American artists, helping to amplify their voices and promote their work.
The Visual Artists
The 2026 USA Fellowships include six visual artists who are making significant contributions to their respective fields. Edra Soto, based in Chicago, is the director of the outdoor project space The Franklin, and her work explores social and political power structures. Her new installation, "the place of dwelling," will open at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in January 2026. Maia Chao, based in Philadelphia, creates performance and video work with an anthropological approach, documenting the lives of people in the U.S. She will be participating in the 2026 Whitney Biennial. Other visual artists 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 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 Craft Category
In addition to the visual artists, the USA Fellowships also recognized six artists in the craft category. These artists include Anina Major, Anthony Sonnenberg, Corey Pemberton, Norwood Viviano, Robell Awake, and Xenobia Bailey. These individuals are pushing the boundaries of traditional craft practices, using techniques such as weaving, ceramics, and woodworking to create innovative and thought-provoking works of art.
The History of the USA Fellowship Program
The USA Fellowship program was launched in 2006, with the goal of providing unrestricted support to artists across the United States. Since its inception, the program has awarded $53 million to over 1,000 individuals, including notable artists such as Howardena Pindell, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, and Gala Porras-Kim. The program’s commitment to unrestricted support has enabled artists to take risks, experiment with new ideas, and pursue their passions without the burden of financial constraints.
Conclusion
The 2026 USA Fellowships represent a significant investment in the arts, recognizing the importance of artists in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States. The six visual artists and six craft artists selected for this year’s fellowships are making significant contributions to their respective fields, and their work will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the art world. 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 testament to the power of arts funding and its ability to support innovative and groundbreaking work.