The unrestricted grant recognizes a career built on assemblage and community mentorship.
The Artists’ Legacy Foundation named Mildred Howard the recipient of its 2026 Artist Award. The unrestricted $25,000 prize is granted annually to painters or sculptors whose practice shows evidence of the hand. Howard, known for public art, sculpture, and installation across the Bay Area, utilizes salvaged objects to explore the Black American experience. She described the funding as crucial for continuing her practice during unsettling times. In addition to her studio work, Howard serves as a mentor for local artists, stating that the journey is nothing without taking others along. Previous winners include Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Howardena Pindell. Separately, the Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants awarded nearly $500,000 to 27 projects. Recipients include Ifrah Mansour, who received up to $20,000 for work centered on the Somali nomadic aqal. These grants support women and gender-nonconforming artists addressing environmental themes through radical imagination.
Unrestricted grants provide the financial stability necessary for mid-to-late career artists to sustain long-form studio practices. Howard’s recognition highlights how integrating community mentorship with a consistent aesthetic focus can lead to significant institutional support.
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