Samuel D. Hunter, Alison Bechdel & More Named 2014 MacArthur Fellows

MacArthur today named its 2014 class of MacArthur Fellows, recognizing 21 exceptionally creative individuals with a track record of achievement and the potential for significant contributions in the future.

Fellows will each receive a no-strings-attached stipend of $625,000, paid out over five years. The Fellowship comes with no stipulations or reporting requirements, and allows recipients maximum freedom to follow their own creative visions.

"Those who think creativity is dying should examine the life's work of these extraordinary innovators who work in diverse fields and in different ways to improve our lives and better our world," said Cecilia Conrad, Vice President, MacArthur Fellows Program. "Together, they expand our view of what is possible, and they inspire us to apply our own talents and imagination."

The MacArthur Fellows work in diverse fields and often across multiple disciplines. This year's Fellows are:

Designing new strategies to address persistent social challenges such as securing fair and affordable housing (John Henneberger), protecting civil rights (Mary L. Bonauto), and ensuring equal access to justice for both the victims of crime (Sarah Deer) and the accused (Jonathan Rapping);

Redefining paradigms in algebraic geometry (Jacob Lurie), documentary film (Joshua Oppenheimer), memoir (Alison Bechdel), labor organizing (Ai-jen Poo), and public art (Rick Lowe);

Refreshing traditional templates to create distinctive and innovative work in theatre (Samuel D. Hunter), jazz (Steve Coleman), and poetry (Terrance Hayes);

Probing with original insights into number theory (Yitang Zhang), brain connectivity (Danielle Bassett), and racial bias (Jennifer L. Eberhardt);

Bridging the gap between theory and application in black carbon emissions (Tami Bond), nanomaterials (Mark Hersam), and cryptography (Craig Gentry);

Deepening our understanding of contemporary Arabic poetry (Khaled Mattawa), and the historical roots of empirical science (Pamela O. Long) and national identities in Europe (Tara Zahra).

Members of this year's class join 897 other MacArthur Fellows whom the Program has recognized since it began in 1981. Fellows are selected through a rigorous process that has involved thousands of expert and anonymous nominators, evaluators, and selectors over the years. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited or outside nominations.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos