Since 1997, Charlotte Street Foundation’s Visual Artist Award has supported outstanding visual artists living in Kansas City through annual, unrestricted cash awards distributed directly to visual artists. These competitive awards recognize local artists who are creating outstanding artwork and show great accomplishment and promise by providing financial support, critical attention, and increased exposure with the aim of fostering their continued artistic and professional development. The 2018 Charlotte Street Foundation Visual Artist Awards exhibition featured new work by the 2018 Fellows: Marie Bannerot McInerney, Jarrett Mellenbruch, and Jillian Youngbird.
José Esparza Chong Cuy, Pamela Alper Associate Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago; Joey Orr, Curator for Research at the Spencer Museum of Art, and Larry Ossei-Mensah, Susanne Feld Hilberry Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit joined me to conduct studio visits with 10 finalists and select the three award recipients.