Applications for the 2009 William H. Johnson Prize are now available online at http://www.whjohnsongrant.org
Please note that the due date for all applications is July 31, 2009, several months earlier than in past years. Applicants are advised to take note of the change so that they do not miss the deadline. The 2009 William H. Johnson Prize is 25,000 USD and the winner will be announced in September 2009.
William Johnson Self Portrait
The William H. Johnson Foundation for the Arts is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that seeks to encourage African American artists early in their careers through its annual award, The William H. Johnson Prize. Early career African American artists who work in painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, installation and/or new genre are eligible to apply.
William H. Johnson, an African American artist born in Florence, South Carolina in 1901, is the namesake of the Foundation. He moved to New York as a young man to study at the National Academy of Design, and though he was acknowledged as the most talented artist in his class of 1926, he was passed over for a traveling scholarship, most likely because of his race. Rather than see Johnson struggle in the United States, his teacher, Charles Hawthorne, gave Johnson 1000 USD so that Johnson could travel to Europe. This act of faith and generosity was pivotal in Johnson’s life, for it provided the seed from which his career flourished.
In the same spirit, the William H. Johnson Prize is intended to encourage the best artists working today. Past Johnson Prize Winners include Laylah Ali (2002); Nadine Robinson (2003); Kori Newkirk (2004); Dave McKenzie (2005); Edgar Arceneaux (2006); Rodney McMillian (2007); and Jennie C. Jones (2008).
THE WILLIAM H JOHNSON FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
6022 Wilshire Blvd, #200
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323 931-3744
323 931-3751 fax