MacArthur Genius Grant

Anthropologist Amber Wutich embeds in communities only at their invitation — a method she calls 'participant observation.' Much of her work focuses on alleviating water insecurity.

This expert on water scarcity would never call herself a 'genius.' But MacArthur would

12:04pm October 04, 2023

by Max Barnhart

Amber Wutich, an anthropologist and newly minted 'MacArthur genius,' says water scarcity is a human-caused problem that requires human-generated solutions.

The artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons is one of this year's MacArthur fellows. Her sculptures, paintings, installations and photography are displayed in over 30 museums around the globe. When she got news of the s0-called "genius grant," she says, " I was running room to room in the house, feeling a sense of terror and elation."

MacArthur 'genius' makes magical art that conjures up her Afro-Cuban roots

12:03pm October 04, 2023

by Malaka Gharib

One of this year's MacArthur fellows — the so-called 'genius grant' — the artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons is inspired by her family's African roots, her Cuban childhood and modern American life.

Artist Jeffrey Gibson will represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale in 2024, the first Indigenous artist to have a solo exhibition in the U.S Pavilion at the international art event.

In a first, the U.S. picks an Indigenous artist for a solo show at the Venice Biennale

7:42pm July 29, 2023

by Chloe Veltman

The U.S. State Department selected Jeffrey Gibson to create an installation for the U.S. Pavilion at the prestigious international arts event.

Priti Krishtel, a 2022 MacArthur fellowship winner, says of her work to create fair drug prices for the world: "I just don't think that people's ability to heal should depend on their ability to pay." Her father worked in the pharmaceutical industry and inspired in her a love of science and finding cures.

Health & Safety

This MacArthur 'genius' grantee says she isn't a drug price rebel but she kind of is

5:23pm October 13, 2022

by Max Barnhart

Health justice lawyer Priti Krishtel doesn't believe your ability to heal should depend on your ability to pay. Her mission is to reform the patent system that drug companies use to block competition.

This year's 25 MacArthur Fellows will each receive $800,000, a "no-strings-attached award to extraordinarily talented and creative individuals as an investment in their potential," according to the MacArthur Foundation website.

An ornithologist, a cellist and a human rights activist: the 2022 MacArthur Fellows

1:01pm October 12, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

This year's MacArthur Fellows include scientists, artists and historians. The so-called MacArthur "geniuses" receive unrestricted grants of $800,000 for their "exceptional creativity" and "promise."

Cristina Ibarra and Alex Rivera, the first married couple to win MacArthur grants at the same time

Latino Filmmakers Are The First Married Couple To Win MacArthur Grants In Same Year

7:36pm September 28, 2021

by Mandalit del Barco

Filmmakers Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra are both winners of MacArthur Genius grants this year. The married couple do separate but related work dealing with immigration and migrant labor.

Trevor Bedford, a computational virologist, has been named a MacArthur Fellow for his work on SARS-CoV-2. His early reaction: "Scary."

Health & Safety

Trevor Bedford: Two Astounding Awards For Virologist Who Raised Early COVID Alarms

2:46pm September 28, 2021

by NPR Staff

He's had quite a September. Bedford has just been named a MacArthur Fellow and was also awarded a $9 million, 7-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for his work on the pandemic.

Vijay Gupta is a violinist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic whose life's work has been to make music accessible to all. That passion caught the attention of others and this year he was awarded a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

MacArthur Fellow Vijay Gupta On Making Music Accessible For All

6:49pm October 13, 2018

Violinist and social justice advocate Vijay Gupta, one of the 2018 winners of the MacArthur Fellowship, speaks about his work in under-resourced communities in Los Angeles and what's next.

Gregg Gonsalves, a global health advocate, is one of this year's MacArthur "genius grant" winners.

Health & Safety

A Global Health Evangelist Is Shocked To Hear He's A 'Genius'

5:15pm October 06, 2018

by Jason Beaubien

Gregg Gonsalves dropped out of college, drifted around, became a health-care activist and epidemiology professor — and is now the recipient of a 'genius grant.'

Composer, multi-instrumentalist and educator Tyshawn Sorey, who has been granted a MacArthur Fellowship.

Music & Culture

Tyshawn Sorey, A Musical Shapeshifter, Wins MacArthur 'Genius' Prize

7:05am October 11, 2017

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The wide-ranging composer, drummer, pianist and trombonist has been defying easy category since childhood. Now only 37 years old, he's just getting started.

Queue Listen Now