Creative Capital Carnival 2026: Celebrating Artistic Freedom of Expression!

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Creative Capital Carnival at Lincoln Center on June 15, 2026—a summer celebration of visionary artists, groundbreaking new projects-in-progress, and our vibrant community!

The day began with our 2026 Creative Capital Awardees connecting with leading industry professionals from Sundance, MoMA, Lincoln Center, New Directions, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Apollo Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more. Special thanks to all of the artists and industry experts who traveled far and wide, including from Denton, TX, Rockland, ME, and Sante Fe, NM, to share their invaluable knowledge, experience, and time with Creative Capital artists.

In the afternoon, at the prestigious Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, artists, industry, and guests from all over the country experienced a first look at 42 boundary-pushing, jaw-dropping, experimental new works-in-progress that the 2026 Creative Capital Awardees will be creating with their funding and services from the Creative Capital Award. We invite you to watch or rewatch these original videos by 2026 Creative Capital Awardees introducing their new projects-in-progress on YouTube.

These moving new projects span a wide spectrum of ideas, forms, and geographic regions, including: Jeff Ostergren’s PHARMAESTHETIC, a painting and multimedia project exploring the pharmaceutical industry and the aesthetics of the drug marketing; Rodrigo Olivar’s EL PUEBLO SALVA AL PUEBLO (We Save Us), a new documentary film about the resilience of Mexican food delivery people in New York City; Kenturah Davis’s REST STOPS: THRIVING IN THE THRESHOLDS OF ALTADENA, a new multimedia art, garden, and community project in the aftermath of the wildfires in Los Angeles; and Sharon Chohi Kim’s HAENYEO, a new hydro-opera about the Korean women free divers.

Creative Capital Carnival culminated in a beautiful cocktail reception and dinner celebrating our artist-centered community at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center. Christine Kuan, President & Executive Director, welcomed everyone and said, “The Creative Capital Award is unique because we identify new artistic projects at the idea stage. We fund individual artists, not for their past achievements, but for what they imagine for the future.”

Special remarks were delivered by Mariko Silver, President & CEO, Lincoln Center. Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, founding board member and Vice Chair of Creative Capital, toasted 2005 Creative Capital Awardee and Board Member Edgar Arceneaux.

Creative Capital Board Chair Reginald M. Browne introduced Bill T. Jones, Artistic Director of New York Live Arts and co-founder of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Bill T. Jones delivered an inspiring message and honored long-time friend Catharine R. Stimpson for her years of generous support and service as co-chair of Creative Capital’s National Advisory Council and Catharine toasted fellow co-chair Fred Wilson.

Reggie spoke passionately about artists, stating: Artists and our creative economy are vital to who we are as a nation. Six vital elements why artists matter:

1. Artists as keepers of memory
2. Artists as builders of identity
3. Artists as truth tellers
4. Artists as creators of hope
5. Artists as bridge builders
6. Artists as architects of our future

With balcony views of the sunset over New York City and the Hudson River, artists, alumni, industry, friends, and supporters formed new bonds, and we concluded the evening with a captivating musical performance of “Antónima,” the title track of the newest album by 2026 Creative Capital Awardee Sofia Rei and JC Maillard.

Thank you to all of the brilliant artists, Board of Directors, National Advisory Council, industry experts, Creative Capital staff, Lincoln Center, and our many generous supporters for making all of our grants, professional development services, and community-building programs possible!

See more photos on BFA: Artist Dinner and Reception