Boston Artists Awarded $75,000 Each in 2026 Wagner Arts Fellowships

BOSTON — The Wagner Foundation, in partnership with United States Artists, announced Tuesday the recipients of its 2026 Wagner Arts Fellowships: Tomashi Jackson, Lucy Kim, and Yu-Wen Wu. Each mid-career artist, based in the Greater Boston area, will receive an unrestricted $75,000 grant along with professional development support to advance socially engaged and culturally innovative practices.

The fellowships underscore the foundation’s commitment to sustaining artists who confront pressing social issues through their work. Tomashi Jackson, known for her vibrant, materially layered paintings that interrogate systemic racism, economic inequality, and the politics of color, expressed gratitude for the recognition. Her practice often incorporates found objects and historical references to reveal hidden narratives in American society.

Lucy Kim creates sculptural paintings and hybrid forms that blur boundaries between representation and abstraction, exploring themes of identity, labor, and the body in contemporary culture. In her Somerville studio, walls lined with her distinctive works reflect a rigorous process that challenges traditional notions of painting.

Yu-Wen Wu, whose multidisciplinary approach addresses migration, displacement, and cultural memory, plans to use part of the funds to acquire a small kiln for expanded experimentation in her studio. All three artists have deep ties to Boston’s creative community and have previously received support from local and national grants.

“Supporting artists at this stage is critical,” said a foundation representative. “These fellowships provide not just financial resources but the freedom to dream bigger and sustain vital cultural work.”

The 2026 cohort highlights Boston’s emerging role as a hub for thoughtful, impactful contemporary art. With no strings attached, the unrestricted funding allows each fellow to direct resources toward new projects, studio needs, and long-term stability in an increasingly challenging arts economy.

This announcement arrives amid broader conversations about equity and sustainability in the arts, positioning the Wagner Arts Fellowships as a model for targeted, impactful philanthropy.