Cultivating Artistic Excellence: The Joan Mitchell Center's 2026 Cohort
A Hub for Artistic Innovation in the Crescent City
The New York-based Joan Mitchell Foundation proudly revealed the 31 artists who will be participating in its esteemed 2026 residency program. This highly anticipated program is set to take place at the state-of-the-art Joan Mitchell Center, nestled in the vibrant cultural landscape of New Orleans.
Diverse Residency Experiences
Artists selected for the residency will have the option to engage in either a six-week or a 14-week immersive experience, spread across three distinct seasons: spring, summer, and fall. To ensure a focused and intimate environment, the center will host no more than nine residents at any given time. The initial group of artists is slated to arrive on February 2nd, marking the commencement of an inspiring year.
Bridging National and Local Artistic Talent
What sets the foundation's residency apart is its dual focus on attracting artists from across the United States while also deeply engaging with the local artistic community of New Orleans. The 2026 cohort exemplifies this commitment, with 17 artists hailing directly from New Orleans and the remaining participants traveling from major art hubs such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta. The age range of the selected artists, spanning from 27 to 75, highlights the program's dedication to supporting artists at various stages of their careers.
A Testament to Creative Diversity and Support
Christa Blatchford, Executive Director of the Joan Mitchell Foundation, emphasized the program's role in showcasing the vast spectrum of creative practices in the US, particularly within New Orleans's dynamic arts scene. She stated that the foundation is dedicated to providing artists with essential time and space to develop new ideas or pursue specific projects, echoing Joan Mitchell's own legacy of generosity towards fellow artists. Blatchford reiterated the foundation's unwavering commitment to its values, ensuring the Joan Mitchell Center remains a welcoming and inclusive space for artistic exploration and exchange, especially in an era of diminishing opportunities for artists.
Introducing the Distinguished 2026 Artists-in-Residence
Among the distinguished artists chosen for this year's residency are Fred H. C. Liang, Trish Tillman, Nadrea Njoku, and Edra Soto, who recently received a United States Artists Fellowship. The cohort also notably includes two prominent figures from New Orleans's rich Black Masking Indian tradition: Kelly Pearson Boles (Big Queen Kelly) and Efrem Z. Boles (Big Chief ZeeBo), who will participate in separate cycles. Other talented local artists include Vee Adams, paris cian, and Ana María Agüero Jahannes.
The Rigorous Selection Process
The selection of the 2026 residents was overseen by a distinguished five-person jury. This panel comprised artists Hannah Chalew and Dewey Tafoya, independent curator Rian Crane, LSU art history professor Allison K. Young, and Ama Rogan, the managing director of A Studio in the Woods at Tulane University. Their expertise ensured a comprehensive and fair evaluation of all applicants.
Transformative Impact of the Residency Experience
Veronique LeMelle, Senior Director of the Joan Mitchell Center, articulated the profound impact the residency has on an artist's practice. She highlighted the invaluable benefits, such as uninterrupted time for creative work, the fostering of connections through studio visits and public events, the enriching exchange among fellow residents, and the unique cultural immersion offered by New Orleans. These elements collectively contribute to a truly transformative experience for participating artists.