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About

United States Artists supports artists and their essential role in society.

A man and woman sit in armchairs, each holding a microphone. The man speaks into the microphone, looking out toward the camera, while the woman listens. Artwork hangs on the white wall behind them. — Judilee Reed and Salvador Jiménez Flores converse at a panel discussion at 21c Museum Hotel as part of EXPO Chicago, 2023.

Photo by Jeremy Lawson.

Image features five smiling people posing in a dark performance space at the Listening Party held during Miami Art Week in December, 2024. — Kristi Sword, USA Trustee Kristy Edmunds, 2019 USA Fellow Helado Negro, USA CEO Judilee Reed, and Bethe Boone, 2024 Berresford Prize awardee, pose at the USA Listening Party held during Miami Art Week in December, 2024. Helado Negro and Kristi Sword previewed their audiovisual installation Star Scores.

Photo by Logan Fazio.

Programs

Our nomination-based programs support artists and cultural practitioners of all disciplines and career stages across the country through unrestricted awards and services tailored to their needs.

USA Fellowship Award Berresford Prize Artist Services

Jerod Tate, a Chickasaw man with long brown hair, stands facing away from the camera towards a symphony orchestra. Tate is dressed in ancient Chickasaw regalia, a tunic with gray feathers, and holds a staff high in his left hand. Towards the back left of the photo, a Chickasaw actor also in regalia is seen holding a staff high in their hand, facing Tate. — 2024 USA Fellow Jerod Tate conducting a symphony orchestra alongside Chickasaw actors appearing in ancient Chickasaw regalia.

Photo by Dale Yee Dong.

Ephraim Asili, a Black man wearing a blue t-shirt, black pants, and sneakers stands in the right side of the image and directs the musicians on the left side and center of the image. The musicians are dressed in band uniforms with a variety of instruments including a saxophone, trumpet, flute, and keyboard. — 2025 USA Fellow Ephraim Asili on set in Paris directing for Louis Vuitton.

Photo by Nick Haymes.

Community

Through our platforms and commissions, we spark dialogues and exchanges that build knowledge and experiences.

Explore Artist Directory Perspectives 2025 USA Fellowship

Finnegan Shannon, a white person with a buzz cut, posed next to a bright blue bench. Their handwriting on the bench reads, "I wish this city was more hospitable to my body's needs. Rest here if you agree." They wear a KF94 mask, a fluorescent lime shirt, and a floral fisherman-style vest. — 2025 USA Fellow Finnegan Shannon posed next to In New York, Thinking of You at The FLAG Art Foundation, 2023.

Photo by Steven Probert.

Jocelyne Prince, a white woman wearing work gloves and an apron, works with molten glass. She looks down with her mouth open in concentration. — 2025 USA Fellow Jocelyne Prince works with molten glass.

Photo by Nathan J Shaulis and Porter Loves.

Partnerships

We partner with foundations, philanthropists, and field leaders to expand support for artists and cultural practitioners across the country.

Initiative Awards Partner With Us

Two women stand towards the right of a stage behind a podium. A projected image fills a screen from the top to the bottom of the stage. The image is of a digital ocean-like background. In the center of this background is a white circle with a vector drawing of a hand holding a single flower. The petals of the flower are made of line drawings of eyes and ears. — Launch party for New Suns Issue 9 and M3's Anthology at The Center for Fiction in New York, 2023.

Photo by Jenna Bascom Photography.

A group of eight individuals pose for a photo in front of a white backdrop. — Guests at the Seed and Bloom convening in February 2024.

Photo by Cartiear Madlock, courtesy of the Gilbert Family Foundation.

People

We are a team who believes in solidarity, accessibility, and integrity.

Two guests hold glasses of wine and converse at a lounge with an arched lamp and bookshelves behind them. Light from a wall of windows on their left softly illuminates them. — Two guests chatting at a United States Artists Community Dinner in Chicago, IL.

2022 USA Fellow Assia Boundaoui attends an event for United States Artists in Chicago, 2024.

Photo by Jeremy Lawson.

Supporters

Our work would not be possible without the support of our donors.

Ayodele Casel, a Black woman, performs front and center on stage alongside Jared Alexander (left) and Amandra Castro (right). Ayodele wears black slacks, a white shirt, a black bowtie and jacket, along with tap shoes. Jared and Amanda are dressed similarly in black and white with white tap shoes that match Ayodele’s. Jared’s arms are stretched wide while both Ayodele and Amanda have their left arms raised upright and their right arms crossed over their bodies. — 2023 USA Fellow, choreographer, and tap dancer Ayodele Casel (center) performs with Jared Alexander (left) and Amanda Castro (right).

Photo by Tony Turner.

EJ Hill, a 2025 USA Fellow with Skyline Attractions, Brava!, 2022, Weld free steel roller coaster, enamel spray paint, wood, and velvet, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) — EJ Hill, a 2025 USA Fellow with Skyline Attractions, Brava!, 2022, Weld-free steel roller coaster, enamel spray paint, wood, and velvet, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

Photo by Kaelan Burkett.

History

United States Artists was created in 2006 for artists.