Skip to main content

About

United States Artists believes in 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.

A row of 27 people stand across a stage. They are smiling, clapping, and talking with each other. Many in the photo look towards the left towards something out of frame. They are wearing orange lanyards. Behind them on stage is a black grand piano and an ombre black and orange backdrop. In the foreground of the image are audience members giving a standing ovation. — USA Assembly at Harris Theater, Chicago, 2017.

Photo courtesy of BMP Production Co.

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

Venus balances on the footplate of Andromeda’s wheelchair, arms spread wide and wheels spinning. Andromeda opens her arms wide to receive her in an embrace. They make eye contact and smile. A starry sky fills the background, and moonlight glints off their rims. — Dead Reckoning from DESCENT. Choreographed by Alice Sheppard, in collaboration with dancer Laurel Lawson. New York Live Arts, March 23-25, 2018. Lighting and video by Michael Maag, music by Joan Jeanrenaud.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

A white man, Ehren Tool, with a bald head and a gray beard sits in the middle of his ceramics studio. He wears a black shirt and blue work overalls with pins attached and pens in the front pocket. Tool looks down upon dozens of light brown clay objects that resemble cups that have yet to be fired. All around him in the studio are shelves filled with miscellaneous materials and equipment typical of a ceramics studio. In addition, several different types of theatrical masks hang in a corner. — Ehren Tool for United States Artists’ Virtual Salon, 2020.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

Community

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

Explore Artist Directory Perspectives 2024 USA Fellowship

A person using a mahl stick to support their wrist as they begin painting. — Shelby Rodeffer works on Commonwealth when wealth is common, 2024.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

The artist holds up a woven cap to the camera, partially covering their face. The crown of the cap is woven tightly from pandanus. The bill is made from a material resembling tortoiseshell. A thin braid divides the bill from the crown. — Woven hat/crown by Roquin-Jon Quichocho Siongco, 2023. Åkgak (pandanus), hågon niyok å'paka (white coconut leaf), and kalan kårai (bio resin). Commissioned by United States Artists.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

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.

Seven people sit in three rows of an audience facing something to the right out of frame. Two wear name tags, three hold beverages, and two wear black facemasks. They are sitting in front of a white wall with a large artwork that depicts a tree with three main branches and green leaves. — Guests attend an artist talk and reception at 21c Museum Hotel in Chicago, 2023.

Photo by Jeremy Lawson.

People

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

Two people stand in front of each other at a social event. Jess Ferrer stands facing the camera. She wears an olive-green striped shirt and pants, circular pink glasses, a gold necklace, and a black facemask. She clasps a red ticket in front of her chest. She is speaking to a guest who is facing away from the camera. — USA staff member Jess Ferrer (R) and a guest attend the launch party of New Suns Issue 9 and M3's Anthology.

Photo by Jenna Bascom Photography.

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.

A group of people gathered in a circle inside a traditional Japanese building with an indoor garden. They are sitting on a wooden ledge which surrounds a plot of beige gravel. They all have their shoes off. The camera faces two people in conversation. A white man, David Lang sits on the left listening with black glasses, a black shirt, black blazer, and gray trousers. A Black woman, Deana Haggag sits next to him on the right, speaking. She wears glasses, a gray blazer, and gray trousers. — Former USA President and CEO Deana Haggag in conversation with David Lang, 2015 USA Fellow, at a donor event in New York City, 2019.

Photo by Ruby Western.

United States Artists stickers and cards are laid out on black table. Both materials include the words “Believe in Artists” written in undulating bubble letters on top of a rainbow gradient. The stickers also include a yellow smiley face with a green tongue sticking out and a fluffy white cloud. — United States Artists stickers designed by Designer-in-Residence Nadine Nakanishi.

Photo by Jenna Bascom Photography.