Chicago’s United States Artists (USA) has awarded its annual $50,000 unrestricted grants to 50 artists across a wide range of disciplines. The recipients of the USA Fellowships were chosen after a year-long process involving nominations, covering 10 categories such as visual art, architecture, and traditional arts. This year marks two decades of the USA Fellowship program. The selection honors artists with unique visions who have significantly impacted their fields.
Among the visual arts honorees are Edra Soto of Chicago, known for exploring diasporic identity, New Mexico’s Eric-Paul Riege, an interdisciplinary weaver, and Los Angeles-based Mercedes Dorame, a multidisciplinary artist. Fashion designer Xenobia Bailey, Palestinian-American writer Sarah Aziza, and tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith also feature among the awardees. Additionally, Lori Lea Pourier (Oglala Lakota) received the Berresford Prize, recognizing influential cultural leaders.
USA Program Director Anne Ishii explained to Hyperallergic that the organization was founded to fill a gap left by public funding. Unlike project-specific grants from agencies like the NEA, the USA Fellowship provides unrestricted funds, allowing artists the freedom to allocate the money as needed, including for living expenses such as healthcare. Ishii emphasized the desire for artists to feel supported in a sustainable environment, free from project-based pressures.
As the fellowship celebrates its 20th anniversary, artists face a challenging funding landscape, marked by cuts at agencies like the NEA. While the fellowship does not dictate spending, USA surveys artists on their plans for the funds. Over the years, a shift has been seen where artists increasingly use the grants for essentials like housing and healthcare rather than solely for artistic endeavors. Ishii noted a focus on legacy and archival work among this year’s cohort, reflecting concerns about preserving cultural knowledge.
