MichiganRadio

Kresge Doles out $25K to 18 Detroit Artists ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - The fellowships were awarded to nine writers and nine performance artists. Each of them gets $25,000, no strings attached.

Vievee Francis is a Detroit poet and one of this year fellows. Her poems have been published in notable journals, and she's won national awards. But Francis says there's something extra special about being recognized by her hometown.

"I think it's rare for artists to be recognized at home, and it feels so affirming, so good. It was actually for me it was overwhelming."

The 2010 fellows were chosen out of 350 applicants. This is the second year Kresge has awarded Artist Fellowships in Detroit. Last year's awards went to visual artists.

To hear Vievee Francis read two of her poems, click on the audio play button at the top of the page.

The 2010 Kresge Literary Arts Fellows are:

Louis Aguilar - creative non-fiction writer
Vince Carducci - art critic
Lynn Crawford - art critic/fiction writer
Vievee Francis - poet
Rachel Harkai - poet
Steve Hughes - fiction/creative non-fiction writer
Matthew Olzmann - poet
Chris Tysh - poet/playwright
Craig L. Wilkins - creative non-fiction writer

The 2010 Kresge Performing Arts Fellows are:

Haleem Ar-Rasheed "Stringz" - choreographer
A. Spencer Barefield - composer/musician
Monica Blaire - composer/singer/songwriter
Timmy Lampinen "Timmy Vulgar" - composer/musician
Valeria Montes "La Chispa" - choreographer
Frank Pahl - sound artist
Joel Peterson - composer/musician
Rick Robinson "Mr. CutTime" - composer/musician
Ilana Weaver "Invincible" - hip-hop artist

Contact Jennifer Guerra at guerraj@umich.edu

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