35 Artists Awarded Grants to Push Boundaries of Performance and Beyond
A remarkable cohort of 35 artists – spanning music, sound, performance, poetry, and visual arts – have been awarded grants to fuel aspiring new projects. These aren’t just awards; they’re investments in innovation,promising a year of intensive research,collaboration,and creative exploration. The artists plan to delve into archives, conduct fieldwork, and travel extensively, both within the United States and across 15 countries and territories.
This diverse group includes a meaningful number of theater artists poised to redefine what performance can be. Let’s take a closer look at the exciting projects they’ll be undertaking.
A Spotlight on Theatre Artists & Thier Upcoming Work
these artists are tackling complex themes, experimenting with form, and drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources. Here’s a breakdown of their planned projects:
* Ian Andrew Askew: He’s building a SLAMDANCE pit simulator – an interactive sonic instrument and performance installation. Think of the energy of a mosh pit, but reimagined as a ritualistic and cathartic experience.
* Morgan Bassichis: Get ready for a deep dive into the world of amy winehouse. Bassichis will research and develop a new performance piece centered around Winehouse, revisiting her early U.S. performance and exploring her legacy through fan experiences in London.
* mayfield brooks: Brooks is embarking on a fascinating journey connecting breath, sound, and the underwater world. She’ll study mouth anatomy, become a certified open water diver in the Azores, and create a sonic dance project titled dArk oXyGen.
* rashida bumbray: Bumbray is drawing inspiration from the vibrant porch parties of Piedmont Blues musician Algia Mae Hinton. Her new performance work will celebrate this rich musical and dance tradition from North Carolina.
* Yanira Castro: Castro will travel to puerto Rico to learn the art of Vejigante mask-making. She’ll collaborate with local artists to understand the cultural importance of these powerful masks.
* erin Markey: Markey is dedicating a year to deepening her musical skills – piano, voice, and composition. This intensive study will directly inform her embodied,somatic approach to songwriting and live performance.
* Jessica Mehta: Mehta is undertaking a powerful and poignant project centered on the Cherokee tear dress. She’ll research its origins and cultural implications, culminating in a public installation and ceremonial burn on july 4, 2026, while living within the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.
* Buffy: Buffy is exploring transfeminist aesthetic lineages through experimental music. She’ll use electronic composition to sonify transbiological and cosmological data, traveling to Barcelona as part of her research.
* ahamefule Oluo: Oluo will investigate a pivotal moment in American history: the 1889 workers’ riot on Navassa Island. his research will inform a new musical exploring themes of race, freedom, and the foundations of the American empire.
Why This Matters: The Future of Performance
These projects demonstrate a commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance. They’re not simply recreating existing forms; they’re inventing new ones.
What does this mean for you, the audience? Expect to see performances that are:
* More immersive: Like Askew’s SLAMDANCE pit simulator, these artists are looking for ways to draw you into the experience.
* More deeply researched: From past events (Oluo) to cultural traditions (Castro,Mehta),these projects are grounded in rigorous investigation.
* More interdisciplinary: Blending music, dance, poetry, and visual art, these artists are breaking down traditional silos.
* More personally resonant: Many of these projects explore deeply personal themes, offering a powerful connection between artist and audience.
This wave of creativity promises a vibrant future for performance art. it’s a testament to the power of artistic inquiry and the importance of supporting artists who dare to explore new territory.
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