WASHINGTON, D.C.: Americans for the Arts has named three artists the recipients of the 2021 Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities. Due to the challenges facing artists during the pandemic, Americans for the Arts is spreading its fellowship around, honoring the top finalists for the 2018 (public art), 2019 (theatre), and 2020 (music) Johnson Fellowship. Each artist is recognized with a $20,000 award.

The recipients include Rosten Woo for public art and design, Laurie Woolery for theatre, and Eddy Kwon for music.

“In these three incredible artists, there is a driving value that acknowledges and supports community knowledge and creativity,” said Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, interim president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, in a statement. “With boundless energy, creativity, and dedication, they have made a positive and meaningful difference to inspire, inform, engage, challenge, animate, and celebrate communities through arts and culture.”

Woolery is a New York-based director and playwright who is currently the director of Public Works at the Public Theater. Last year, she produced the documentary Under the Greenwood Tree about the Public Works’ community’s response to the pandemic and anti-racism protests. She also curated the Seed Project, a national public art installation on the facade of the Public that featured the work of 164 Public Works community members.

Americans for the Arts is a leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in the U.S.