The Finalists will receive studio visits with second-round jurors, who will ultimately select two artists to receive $10,000 unrestricted funds. The Finalists were selected by jurors Susan Cross, Senior Curator of Visual Art, MASS MoCA; Legacy Russell , Associate Curator of Exhibitions, The Studio Museum in Harlem; and Akili Tommasino , Associate Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Of the process, Akili noted, “I am grateful to have had the privilege of serving as a first-round juror for the 2020 Artadia New York Awards, an experience which afforded a riveting glance at the spectrum of contemporary artistic practices throughout ever-prolific New York City and the opportunity to connect with esteemed distant colleagues. Under the present global circumstances, it is especially meaningful to directly support artists with this unrestricted award; I commend the finalists.”

Susan echoed Akili’s thoughts, and commented, “It has been particularly rewarding to be part of the jurying process for the Artadia Award in the midst of a crisis that is so adversely affecting artists — and so deeply affecting New York. The support that Artadia is giving artists in need with their partners in the Artist Relief fund is crucial aid for many, and on top of that, the annual Artadia Award feels all the more significant — and generous– in its commitment to recognizing the art and artists that we all need more than ever.  I was inspired by so many of the applicants — many whose work I knew and many more whose work I now will seek out. The 5 finalists embody the strength and breadth of artistic talent and rigor in New York — in an exciting spectrum of mediums and emotions –while powerfully articulating a range of personal and social histories and current day realities that will no doubt help shape a different future.”

This is Artadia’s fifth Award cycle in New York. The application was open to all visual artists living within New York’s five boroughs for over two years, working in any media, and at any stage of their career. Finalists and Artadia Award recipients are selected through Artadia’s rigorous, two-tier jury review process. In the first round of review, jurors evaluated all submissions and collaboratively determined the five Finalists.