2026 Guggenheim Fellows Announced Amid Record Applications and Federal Arts Cuts
For its 2026 fellowship program, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has chosen 223 awardees, with 76 of them being visual artists selected from a competitive field of 5,000 applicants. This year’s group encompasses 55 different disciplines, reflecting an increase of nearly 2,000 applications compared to 2024. Among the distinguished fellows are Sheida Soleimani, American Artist, Kenneth Tam, Alina Tenser, and Sonya Clark. Founded in 1925 by Senator Simon Guggenheim, the foundation aims to foster creative endeavors in "the freest possible conditions." The current cohort includes individuals from 10 countries and 33 U.S. states, with ages ranging from 28 to 76. Award amounts fluctuate each year and are not disclosed publicly. Recipients in visual arts are divided into various categories.
Key facts
- 223 recipients selected for 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship
- 76 awards in visual arts categories
- 5,000 applicants from 55 disciplines
- Applications increased by 2,000 from 2024
- Creative Arts applications rose 50%
- Fellows from 10 countries and 33 U.S. states
- Foundation established in 1925 by Senator Simon Guggenheim
- Award amounts vary and are not specified
Entities
Artists
- Sheida Soleimani
- Leeza Meksin
- American Artist
- Kenneth Tam
- Alina Tenser
- Sonya Clark
- John Ahearn
- Fia Backström
- Elena Bajo
- Amy Bessone
- Raymond Boisjoly
- Kota Ezawa
- Jude Griebel
- Iva Gueorguieva
- Karl Haendel
- Fariba Hajamadi
- Allison Janae Hamilton
- LaMont Hamilton
- James Hoff
- Julia M. Kunin
- Monica Majoli
- Aspen Mays
- John Miller
- Marina Rosenfeld
- Michael Ross
- Francis Ruyter
- Kate Shepherd
- Claire Sherman
- Juana Valdes
- Jennifer West
- Anne Wilson
- Nathan Arrington
- Claudia Brittenham
- Elizabeth Mansfield
- Samantha Appleton
- Jeremiah Ariaz
- Chris Aluka Berry
- Harlan Bozeman
- Jonathan Michael Castillo
- Stephen Ferry
- Allison Grant
- Kapulani Landgraf
- Matthew Leifheit
- Pixy Liao
- Chris McCaw
- Fred Ritchin
- Collier Schorr
- Lara Shipley
- riel Sturchio
- Sadie Wechsler
- Guanyu Xu
- Samira Yamin
- Noah Isenberg
- Julie Turnock
- Margaret Brown
- Brian M. Cassidy
- Reid Davenport
- Cate Giordano
- Jacqueline Goss
- Christopher Harris
- Brian Christopher Hawkins
- Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich
- Zhu Jia
- Sarah Lasley
- Steve Maing
- Mitch McCabe
- Tenzin Phuntsog
- Steve Reinke
- Anna Samo
- Beatriz Santiago Muñoz
- Melanie Shatzky
- Fern Silva
- Adam James Smith
- Neil Brenner
- Scott Redford
- Robert Frank
- Zora Neale Hurston
Institutions
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
- Ortega y Gasset Projects
Locations
- Brooklyn
- United States
- Iran