25 Macarthur Fellows chosen
Author, poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib has been named a 2021 Macarthur Fellow, and is among 25 recipients of the fellowship awarded every year by the John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation. The latest recipients were named Tuesday.
The “genius grants” as they are known, are given to writers, scientists, artists, social scientists, humanists, teachers, entrepreneurs, or those in other fields. They may use their fellowship to advance their expertise, engage in bold new work, or, if they wish, to change fields or alter the direction of their careers, according to the Macarthur Foundation website.
The fellowship comes with a $625,000 stipend that can be used to advance their work or careers.
Between the tens of thank-you emails, phone calls and messages, Abdurraqib, 38, said he’s been overcome with feelings of gratitude. And since being notified of his selection, he’s thought about how the stipend could fuel his own ambitions and support the work of other Columbus artists.
“A big portion of this and a big portion of anything I stumble into, the thought is always how can I continue to enhance and uplift the work of people, particularly in the city of Columbus, other than myself,” he said. “I’m going to be fine and my work is going to be fine
with or without this. Although, of course, I’m grateful, I work with a city of folks who are working to make the place we live in more equitable and generous for people beyond myself.”
While money can be resourceful, Abdurraqib said there is a bevy of artists who have given their time and access with the hopes that it would help other creatives achieve their goals.
These efforts can be just as valuable, if not more, than money, he said.
“Time is an incredibly valuable resource,” Abdurraqib said. “And to get time back, that’s not something I take selfishly or lightly. Time back to me is to also to have more time in community and with community. That’s something that can’t be changed or traded in.”
With luck, Abdurraqib aims to dedicate more time to the community and continue enhancing the voices of Columbus artists to ensure they broaden the city’s artistic and cultural horizons.
For a complete list of winners, visit macfound.org. ehopkins@dispatch.com @Earl_hopkins1