Celebrating creativity: The 2024 MacArthur Fellows

The MacArthur Foundation has once again spotlighted extraordinary talent with its prestigious Genius Grant awards. This year, 22 individuals from diverse fields have been recognized for their exceptional creativity and potential to make significant future contributions. Among the honorees is the acclaimed filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, known for his work on FX’s Emmy-nominated series Reservation Dogs.

The essence of the MacArthur Fellowship

The MacArthur Fellows Program is renowned for its unique approach to recognizing and fostering talent. The selection criteria are stringent, focusing on three main aspects: exceptional creativity, a track record of significant accomplishments, and the potential for future advances. Each fellowship includes an award of $800,000, distributed in equal quarterly installments over five years, providing recipients with the freedom to pursue their creative endeavors without financial constraints.

The selection process

Unlike many other awards, the MacArthur Fellowship does not have an application process. Instead, nominees are identified through a dynamic pool of external nominators. These nominations are then evaluated by an independent Selection Committee, which includes leaders from various professions in the arts, sciences, and humanities, as well as from the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. This rigorous and confidential process ensures that only the most deserving candidates are chosen.

Meet the 2024 MacArthur Fellows

Loka Ashwood, sociologist

Loka Ashwood’s work sheds light on rural identity and culture, addressing the ecological, economic, and social challenges faced by rural communities. Her research provides a nuanced understanding of these often-overlooked areas, highlighting the resilience and complexity of rural life.

Ruha Benjamin, transdisciplinary scholar and writer

Ruha Benjamin explores how technology reflects and reproduces inequality. Her work champions the role of imagination in social transformation, offering a critical perspective on the intersection of technology and society.

Justin Vivian Bond, artist and performer

Justin Vivian Bond is celebrated for their work in the cabaret tradition, weaving cultural critique and an ethic of care into performances that center on queer joy. Their art challenges societal norms and celebrates diversity.

Jericho Brown, poet

Jericho Brown’s poetry reflects on contemporary culture and identity, combining formal experimentation with intense self-examination. His work offers profound insights into the human experience.

Tony Cokes, media artist

Tony Cokes creates video works that re-contextualize historical and cultural moments. His art challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of history and its impact on the present.

Nicola Dell, computer information scientist

Nicola Dell develops technology interventions to address the needs of overlooked populations, such as survivors of intimate partner violence. Her work demonstrates the power of technology to create positive social change.

Johnny Gandelsman, violinist and producer

Johnny Gandelsman reimagines classical works and nurtures the creation of new music across styles and genres. His innovative approach to music-making bridges the gap between tradition and modernity.

Sterlin Harjo, filmmaker

Sterlin Harjo tells stories about the daily lives of contemporary Native Americans with humor and deep affection. His work on Reservation Dogs has garnered critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Native American culture.

Juan Felipe Herrera, poet, educator, and writer

Juan Felipe Herrera uplifts Chicanx culture and amplifies shared experiences of solidarity and empowerment. His work as a poet and educator has had a profound impact on the literary world.

Ling Ma, fiction writer

Ling Ma explores the intersection of speculative and contemporary fiction in stories about alienation, immigration, and materialism. Her writing offers a unique perspective on modern life.

Jennifer L. Morgan, historian

Jennifer L. Morgan deepens our understanding of how the exploitation of enslaved women enabled the institutionalization of race-based slavery in early America and the Black Atlantic. Her research sheds light on a critical aspect of history.

Martha Muñoz, evolutionary biologist

Martha Muñoz investigates the motors and brakes of evolution, providing insights into the mechanisms that drive evolutionary change. Her work has significant implications for our understanding of biodiversity.

Shailaja Paik, historian

Shailaja Paik explores the intersection of caste, gender, and sexuality in modern India through the lives of Dalit women. Her research highlights the complexities of social identity and inequality.

Joseph Parker, evolutionary biologist

Joseph Parker uncovers the origins of symbiosis in rove beetles and the evolution of complex organismal traits. His work contributes to our understanding of the intricate relationships between species.

Ebony G. Patterson, multimedia artist

Ebony G. Patterson creates visually dazzling works that explore themes of visibility, beauty, race, class, violence, mourning, and regeneration. Her art challenges viewers to confront difficult social issues.

Shamel Pitts, dancer and choreographer

Shamel Pitts pioneers experimental performance works inspired by Afrofuturism, reimagining collective ways of world-building. His innovative approach to dance and choreography pushes the boundaries of the art form.

Wendy Red Star, visual artist

Wendy Red Star engages with archival materials in works that challenge colonial historical narratives. Her art offers a critical perspective on history and its representation.

Jason Reynolds, children’s and young adult writer

Jason Reynolds depicts the rich inner lives of kids of color, ensuring that they see themselves and their communities in literature. His work has had a transformative impact on young readers.

Dorothy Roberts, legal scholar and public policy researcher

Dorothy Roberts exposes racial inequities embedded in social service systems, uplifting the experiences of people caught up in them. Her research advocates for systemic change and social justice.

Keivan G. Stassun, science educator and astronomer

Keivan G. Stassun expands opportunities in STEM education and careers for underrepresented populations. His work promotes diversity and inclusion in the sciences.

Benjamin Van Mooy, oceanographer

Benjamin Van Mooy investigates how microbial organisms shape the cycling of elements fundamental to life in marine environments. His research enhances our understanding of ocean ecosystems.

Alice Wong, writer, editor, and disability justice activist

Alice Wong increases the political and cultural visibility of people with disabilities, catalyzing broader understandings of disability. Her advocacy work has had a significant impact on the disability justice movement.

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