MacArthur Foundation Names 2026 Fellows, and Other News
The MacArthur Foundation has revealed its 2026 cohort of 20 fellows, which includes visual artists Christine Sun Kim, Rodney McMillian, Vincent Valdez, Chip Thomas, and poet Layli Long Soldier. Kim investigates sound and ableism, McMillian delves into Black American history, Valdez addresses issues of racism, and Thomas has created expansive photo murals on the Navajo Nation. From November 19–22, Frieze Abu Dhabi will showcase more than 80 exhibitors from 36 nations. Chanel has introduced new trophies for the Oxford–Cambridge boat race, crafted by Arnaud Chastaingt. The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa is set to reopen in March 2027. On October 28, Julien’s Auctions will sell over 400 items from Paul Reubens’ estate.
Key facts
- The MacArthur Foundation named 20 fellows for 2026, including four visual artists and poet Layli Long Soldier.
- Christine Sun Kim, Rodney McMillian, Vincent Valdez, and Chip Thomas are the visual artists among the 2026 MacArthur Fellows.
- Frieze Abu Dhabi will debut November 19–22 at Manarat Al Saadiyat with over 80 exhibitors from 36 countries.
- Chanel unveiled new trophies for the Oxford–Cambridge boat race, designed by Arnaud Chastaingt and crafted by Thomas Lyte.
- The Gilcrease Museum will reopen in March 2027 in a new building designed by SmithGroup and G&A.
- Julien’s Auctions will sell over 400 items from Paul Reubens’ estate on October 28 at the Groundlings Theatre and online.
- The Boat Race has been contested on the Thames since 1829.
- The Gilcrease Museum’s collection includes more than 12,000 artworks and around 100,000 archival items.
Entities
Artists
- Christine Sun Kim
- Rodney McMillian
- Vincent Valdez
- Chip Thomas
- Layli Long Soldier
- Zeinab Alhashemi
- Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim
- Imran Qureshi
- Kamran Samimi
- Paul Reubens
- Wangari Mathenge
- Arnaud Chastaingt
- Brian Lee Whisenhunt
- Dyala Nusseibeh
- Thomas Gilcrease
Institutions
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- New York Times
- Frieze Abu Dhabi
- Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- The Third Line
- Carbon 12
- Lawrie Shabibi
- ATHR
- Hafez
- Dastan
- Selma Feriani
- Elmarsa
- Jhaveri Contemporary
- Nature Morte
- Project 88
- Chanel
- Somerset House
- Thomas Lyte
- Gilcrease Museum
- SmithGroup
- G&A
- Helmerich Center for American Research
- Thomas Gilcrease House
- City of Tulsa
- University of Tulsa
- Julien’s Auctions
- Groundlings Theatre
- Spike TV
- JCPenney
- Ottolenghi
- Gomi
- Lévy Gorvy Dayan
- Saint Laurent
- Art Basel Miami Beach
- Design Museum
- Gordon Parks Foundation
- Fondation Beyeler
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- U-Haul Art Fair
- Dallas Invitational
- Hublot
- Maison Michel
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Houston
- San Antonio
- Navajo Nation
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Saadiyat Island
- Manarat Al Saadiyat
- Mamsha Beach
- Saudi Arabia
- Tehran
- Iran
- Tunisia
- India
- London
- United Kingdom
- Thames
- Tulsa
- Osage Hills
- Edinburgh
- Scotland
- Eiffel Tower
- Paris
- France
- Chelsea
- Miami Beach