Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts

We’re thrilled to celebrate the 2025 United States Artists Fellows, including those supported by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts — Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Makini, rudi goblen and Sherrill Roland. Your creativity, dedication and impact continue to inspire, and we are proud to recognize your contributions to the arts and your communities. As United States Artists marks its 20th year, its mission remains clear: providing sustainable support to artists and creative practitioners in all stages, in all ways, always. With the support of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts' Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, this year’s cohort includes 50 exceptional artists and collectives across 10 disciplines in 21 states. These artists represent a wide spectrum of creative practice — from emerging talents to seasoned leaders — pushing the boundaries of their fields and redefining what’s possible. Their work is deeply rooted in the places they call home, and their commitment to their communities shines through in every project. Many are collaborators, exemplifying the belief that we go further, together. We are proud to stand alongside these visionary artists as they continue to shape the future of the arts.

Shout out to the 2025 United States Artists Fellows, including those sponsored by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts - Aimee Nezhukumatathil + Makini + rudi goblen + Sherrill Roland! We see you and we celebrate your creativity & contributions to the world! To learn more about the 2025 cohort and the USA Fellowship head to: https://lnkd.in/egEYtYgn ?? ?? ?? In 2025, United States Artists enters its 20th year of commitment to durable, sustainable support to artists and creative practitioners in All Stages, in All Ways, Always. This year, USA , with support from the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, is thrilled to award a new cohort of USA Fellows, fifty exceptional artists and collectives working in ten disciplines in twenty-one US states, spanning the most nascent to mature stages of careers. While awarded in specific disciplines, many of their practices push against and expand these definitions. They create in direct response to the places they call home and remain committed to these communities. Often, they are collaborators, following the adage that we go further, together.

What happens when art and activism collide? With support from the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is joining forces with Working Theater to bring the untold stories of NYC’s delivery workers to life. UNCSA,?Working Theater?and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts have announced a new partnership launching with a fellowship program supporting the development of Working Theater’s?“La Dureza”?project — an exploration of the lives and struggles of delivery workers in New York City as they organize for fair wages, workplace safety and human dignity. As part of the fellowship, UNCSA School of Filmmaking students are working under the mentorship of filmmaker Cyrus Moussavi to create a documentary capturing the development of “La Dureza.” "Forging professional pathways for early-career artists and supporting the development of new work remain central to our mission," says Kenan Institute Executive Director Kevin Bitterman. "Our emerging partnership with Working Theater, the UNCSA creative community, and filmmaker Cyrus Moussavi exemplifies our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting artists dedicated to social transformation through the arts." Learn more about the partnership ?? https://lnkd.in/g-dMH8FE