Six Indigenous artists: 'bold artistic vision'

Six Indigenous artists have been awarded unrestricted $50,000 fellowships from United States Artists, a national funding organization. The six are among 60 artists who received the 2021 USA Fellowships.

“Our annual, unrestricted awards celebrate artists and cultural practitioners who have significantly contributed to the creative landscape and arts ecosystem of the country,” stated the foundation. “These awards aim to promote the work of these visionary practitioners to a broader public while allowing them to decide how to best support their lives.”

United States Artists said this is its largest cohort since its founding in 2006. It calls the 2021 cohort trailblazers and innovators, storytellers, culture bearers, movement builders… “[who] continue to inspire curiosity, empathy, and action toward building a more honest and just world… They help us envision new futures and show us that art-making of all kinds, and their cross-pollination, is critical to moving our culture forward.” 

The USA Fellowships recognize artists for both their “bold artistic vision and their contributions to the field.”

The six are: 
 

Cannupa Hanska Luger, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota    Craft 
Nathan P. Jackson, Tlingit    Traditional Arts 
Kawika Lum-Nelmida, Hawaiian    Traditional Arts 
Geo Soctomah Neptune, Passamaquoddy    Traditional Arts
Delina White, Anishinaabe    Traditional Arts
Emily Johnson, Yup’ik    Dance

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