Kenya (Robinson), CHEEKY LaSHAE + The Red Bath Mat, (2014-15).
Image: Courtesy of the artist/Rema Hort Mann Foundation.

The Rema Hort Mann Foundation (RHMF) has announced the recipients of this year’s annual emerging artist grant, which offers $10,000 to the following eight artists: Aaron Fowler, Motoko Fukuyama, M.Lamar, Leeza Meksin, Troy Michie, Kenny Rivero, Kenya (Robinson), and Ezra Wube.

Over 150 artists working in New York vied for the unrestricted grant, which was decided in a closed-call nominations process by a group of 50 curators, artists, critics, and art historians. Rocio Aranda-Alvarado of El Museo del Barrio, Matthew Higgs of White Columns, Susan Hort of RHMF, Rujeko Hockley of the Brooklyn Museum, and artist David Humphrey comprised this year’s selection committee.

Aaron Fowler, Untitled (Foot Locker) (2013).
Image: Courtesy of the Saatchi Gallery.

The RHMF Emerging Artists Grant program began in 1996; since its inception, past winners have included: Sarah Sze (1997), Mickalene Thomas (2007), Rashaad Newsome (2009), Keltie Ferris (2006), Kehinde Wiley (2002), and Dana Schutz (2002). In 2013, the Foundation began a separate grant program for Los Angeles-based artists. Emily Mast (2013), Nick Aguayo (2014), and Nancy Lupo (2015) are among the West Coast winners.

M. Lamar. Image: Courtesy of the artist, photo by Grace Kim.

This year’s beneficiaries represent a diverse group of artists working across installation, video, sculpture, sound, painting, and collage. Awardee Kenya (Robinson) spoke with artnet News from Berlin, explaining that in her mind, “emerging artist” is a state of being. “If you are good at what you do, you are always emerging, evolving into another stage of your work.”