In a significant announcement, the American Academy in Rome has unveiled the recipients of the esteemed Rome Prize for the academic years 2025-26. This annual award honors American artists and scholars across various disciplines within the arts and humanities, providing them with unique opportunities to conduct research and produce creative work. The winners will officially be honored at an evening ceremony held at the City University of New York Graduate Center. Each awardee will receive financial support, working spaces, and accommodation at the Academy's picturesque Janiculum Hill campus starting this fall.

Details of the Prestigious Rome Prize Ceremony

This year marks a milestone as the Rome Prize extends its reach into twelve disciplines, introducing a new pilot category: Environmental Arts & Humanities. This innovative addition fosters collaboration between artists and scholars focusing on humanity's interaction with the natural world. In a highly competitive selection process, only 3.54% of applicants were chosen from nearly a thousand submissions originating from 44 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and seventeen international countries.

Among the thirty-five fortunate recipients are Paula Gaither specializing in Ancient Studies from Stanford University, Akima Brackeen representing Architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sean Mooney contributing to Environmental Arts and Humanities via the Rock Foundation in New York, Tameka Baba excelling in Landscape Architecture at Ohio State University, Maya Binyam crafting Literature at Claremont McKenna College, Nastasya Kosygina delving into Medieval Studies at UC Irvine, Charles Leavitt advancing Modern Italian Studies at Notre Dame, Lembit Beecher composing Music in New York, Eva Del Soldato exploring Renaissance studies at UPenn, Daniel J. Sheridan winning the Tsao Family Rome Prize as an Independent Scholar from Tennessee, and Jennifer Bornstein shining in Visual Arts at UC Irvine.

The prestigious fellowship offers a stipend ranging from $16,000 for five months to $30,000 for ten months, enabling these talented individuals to focus exclusively on their projects amidst a vibrant interdisciplinary community set against the backdrop of historic Rome. Established in 1894 by renowned architect Charles F. McKim, supported historically by entities like Harvard College, The Carnegie Foundation, JP Morgan, The Rockefeller Foundation, and William K. Vanderbilt, the American Academy continues its legacy through generous contributions today.

Over its long history, the academy has nurtured numerous influential figures who have gone on to achieve remarkable accolades including Guggenheim Fellowships, Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, Grammy Awards, Pritzker Prizes, Poet Laureate appointments, and Nobel Prizes.

President Peter N. Miller expressed pride in offering such a transformative experience where fellows can engage deeply with their work while interacting with peers across diverse fields, returning home enriched by shared experiences and interdisciplinary dialogues.

From ancient studies to modern interpretations of environmental challenges, these scholars and artists exemplify excellence and innovation. Their work not only advances individual careers but also strengthens cultural ties globally through collaborative efforts rooted in one of the world’s most inspiring cities – Rome.

As we reflect upon this distinguished gathering of minds, it becomes evident that fostering creativity and intellectual exploration remains vital for societal progress. The Rome Prize serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all of the power inherent in artistic expression and scholarly pursuit when given proper resources and encouragement.

Indeed, initiatives like the Rome Prize underscore the importance of supporting emerging talents across multiple domains. By nurturing these brilliant minds, we invest in a brighter future filled with groundbreaking discoveries and timeless masterpieces waiting to unfold under the watchful eyes of history itself in eternal Rome.