2026 MacArthur Fellows Announced, Highlighting Diverse Contributions to Arts and Sciences

NEW YORK (AP) — Immanuel Wilkins was riding the Amtrak from New York to Philadelphia when he received a call from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He had to wait until he deboarded the train to find out if it was significant news. The Brooklyn-based saxophonist, bandleader, and composer initially thought they were calling for recommendations. "I was just outside," said Wilkins, 29, when he confirmed he was selected as part of their prestigious fellows class. "Which was nice because then I could yell as loud as I wanted to and celebrate." The foundation unveiled its 2026 fellows class on Tuesday, featuring 20 individuals from various disciplines, including performing arts and social sciences, with ages spanning four decades and locations across three continents. Each fellow will receive $800,000 over the next five years to support their creative endeavors. This year’s class notably emphasizes historical themes. Among the fellows is a philosopher using cognitive science to explore memory and forgiveness, a poet examining colonial violence through historical texts, and a choreographer merging different dance styles. Kristen Mack, vice president of communications for fellows and partnerships at the MacArthur Foundation, stated, "They explore the depths of our humanity; they reveal untold origins to challenges; they expand the edges of scientific inquiry and life-saving research." Wilkins, the youngest fellow, connects the 1918 lynching of Mary Turner to the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown in his debut album "Omega." He noted that music allows him to represent these stories without recreating the violence. He is also exploring how jazz rhythms can be represented through visual art. Ellora Derenoncourt, an associate professor at Princeton University, aims to use her fellowship to communicate issues of economic justice to the public and policymakers. She highlighted how historical events have impacted racial wealth disparities and emphasized the need for robust data to analyze current inequalities. Visual artist Vincent Valdez, another fellow, addresses American identity through his paintings, which reflect the stories of his Mexican American community. His work aims to counter social amnesia and highlight important societal figures. Valdez's paintings often engage with themes of sports and community, emphasizing the collective effort required to address significant societal issues.