The 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor

A Spectacular Evening of Laughter, Surprises, Fun, and Frivolity!

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Columbus College of Art and Design | Columbus, Ohio

About the Thurber Prize

A Legacy of Humor

Awarded annually, the Thurber Prize for American Humor is one of the highest recognitions of humor writing and cartooning in the United States. The Thurber Prize is presented each year in James Thurber’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

The Award Show

During this spectacular evening of humor, attendees are entertained with a host of hilarious surprises, including appearances from the finalists/winners. The award show culminates with the announcement of the winners of the Thurber Prize in Writing and Cartoon Art.

A Vital Fundraiser

The Thurber Prize for American Humor award show celebrates humor, writing, and cartoon art on a national scale. It is also a vital fundraiser for Thurber House’s year-round programming.

For over 41 years, Thurber House has been an inclusive, empowering, and joyful place for people to come together, learn from each other, express themselves, and return that positive impact to the world. This is our mission.

Past Honorees

Past Thurber Prize honorees include Roz Chast, Paul Noth, Alexandra Petri, S.E. Boyd, Steven Rowley, James McBride, Damon Young, Simon Rich, Patricia Lockwood, Trevor Noah, Mike Birbiglia, Dave Barry, Alan Zweibel, David Sedaris, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, Ian Frazier, and The Onion.

2026 Host John Kenney

Fan favorite and New York Times bestselling author John Kenney is back for another round of hilarious roasts and celebratory toasts! John won the 2014 Thurber Prize for his novel Truth in Advertising and was a 2019 finalist for Love Poems for Married People. He’s published three novels and four collections of humorous poetry and has contributed to The New Yorker since 1999. This is his third time hosting the award show.

2026 Event Location, Parking, Attire & Accessibility

Location

The event will take place at the Columbus College of Art & Design’s Canzani Center (60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43215).

Parking

Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the building. Click here for a map (the Canzani Center is building 1).

Attire

The overall vibe for the event will be funky, fun, colorful, and festive. Standard cocktail attire will be completely appropriate, as well as artsy and playful looks, and anything with festive flair. We encourage our guests to express their own individuality.

Accessibility

All event areas have step-free access. Please contact us if you need to reserve wheelchair seating in the auditorium.

Event Schedule

6:00 pm | Private VIP Reception

Doors open at 5:45 pm.

This private reception in the gallery is open to sponsors, host committee members, VIP ticket holders, and special guests only. Attendees will receive two drink tickets per person.

7:15 PM | Award Show

Doors open for general admission at 6:30 pm.

Grab your beverage of choice from the cash bar, sit back, and let us entertain you!

9:00 pm (ish) | After-Party

All attendees are invited to cap off the evening at our celebratory after-party. We’ll have musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and plenty of merriment!

Tickets

General Admission | $60

This ticket includes:

Admission to the award show
Admission to the after-party

The fair market value of this ticket is $30.

VIP Admission | $125

This ticket includes:

Admission to the private VIP reception (with two drink tickets)
Admission to the award show (with reserved seat)
Admission to the after-party

The fair market value of this ticket is $40.

Important note about optional fees/tip during registration:

Processing fee: When you register for your tickets, you will be asked by default to cover an online processing fee. You can opt out by clicking "Edit." If you opt out, we strongly encourage you to submit your payment via mailed check instead, which will save Thurber House from having to pay the processing fee. To pay by check, scroll to the bottom of the payment page on the form and select the check option.
Optional tip for Givebutter: During registration, you will also be asked to give an optional tip. If you opt in, the tip goes to Givebutter, which does not charge Thurber House a platform fee to use. Givebutter offers its system for free to nonprofits because of this tipping model. If you choose not to tip, Thurber House will not be directly impacted. You can opt out of the tip by choosing "Other" and setting the amount to $0.

Become a Sponsor

Your Thurber Prize sponsorship makes this celebration of excellence in humor possible and powers Thurber House’s year-round programming.

As a sponsor, you’ll meet the Thurber Prize finalists at a lively VIP reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Next, you’ll take your reserved seat for the show, where you’ll laugh (and maybe cry), and cheer on the winners during the live reveal! The good times continue at the after-party in the gallery.

Important note about optional fees/tip during registration:

Processing fee: When you register for your sponsorship/tickets, you will be asked by default to cover an online processing fee. You can opt out by clicking "Edit." If you opt out, we strongly encourage you to submit your payment via mailed check instead, which will save Thurber House from having to pay the processing fee. To pay by check, scroll to the bottom of the payment page on the form and select the check option.
Optional tip for Givebutter: During registration, you will also be asked to give an optional tip. If you opt in, the tip goes to Givebutter, which does not charge Thurber House a platform fee to use. Givebutter offers its system for free to nonprofits because of this tipping model. If you choose not to tip, Thurber House will not be directly impacted. You can opt out of the tip by choosing "Other" and setting the amount to $0.

Presenting Sponsor: $50,000

Private meet and greet with honorees
Name/logo listed prominently on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, social media, advertisements, online event calendar listings, and media releases
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (12 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (12 tickets)
Opportunity to present winner check or award
Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Custom James Thurber framed print
Complete set of finalist books

The fair market value of this sponsor level is $680.

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Pinnacle Sponsor: $25,000

Name/logo listed prominently on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, social media, advertisements, online event calendar listings, and media releases
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (12 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (12 tickets)
Opportunity to present winner check or award
Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Custom James Thurber framed print
Complete set of finalist books

The fair market value of this sponsor level is $600.

________________________________________________

Premier Sponsor: $15,000

Writing Award Sponsor: $15,000 (Fulfilled)

Cartoon Art Award Sponsor: $15,000 (Fulfilled)

Name/logo featured on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, and social media
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (10 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (10 tickets)
Opportunity to present winner check or award
Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Complete set of finalist books or custom James Thurber framed print

The fair market value of each sponsor level is $460.

________________________________________________

Signature Sponsor: $10,000

VIP Reception Sponsor: $10,000

After-Party Sponsor: $10,000

Name/logo featured on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, and social media
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (8 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (8 tickets)
Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Complete set of finalist books or custom James Thurber framed print

The fair market value of each sponsor level is $380.

________________________________________________

Laugh 'Til You Cry Sponsor: $5,000

Name on event collateral
Recognition on Thurber House website and eblasts
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (6 tickets)
Reserved seats for award show (6 tickets)
VIP tour of Thurber House or James Thurber print

The fair market value of this sponsor level is $240.

________________________________________________

Laugh Out Loud Sponsor: $2,500

Name on event collateral
Recognition on Thurber House website and eblasts
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (4 tickets)
Reserved seats for award show (4 tickets)
VIP tour of Thurber House or James Thurber print

The fair market value of this sponsor level is $160.

To discuss your perfect sponsorship fit, contact Interim Executive Director Kathy Matthews at kmatthews@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-1177.

Join the Host Committee

Want to help make the Thurber Prize award show a smashing success?

As a host committee member, you’ll serve as an ambassador for Thurber House, helping promote the Thurber Prize award show and taking on special responsibilities during the event (if you choose). Host committee members gain access to the VIP reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, reserved seating for the show, admission to the after-party in the gallery, and an exclusive host committee badge to wear throughout the event.

Your generosity provides significant support for Thurber House’s programs and operations. Join us!

Important note about optional fees/tip during registration:

Processing fee: When you register for your membership/tickets, you will be asked by default to cover an online processing fee. You can opt out by clicking "Edit." If you opt out, we strongly encourage you to submit your payment via mailed check instead, which will save Thurber House from having to pay the processing fee. To pay by check, scroll to the bottom of the payment page on the form and select the check option.
Optional tip for Givebutter: During registration, you will also be asked to give an optional tip. If you opt in, the tip goes to Givebutter, which does not charge Thurber House a platform fee to use. Givebutter offers its system for free to nonprofits because of this tipping model. If you choose not to tip, Thurber House will not be directly impacted. You can opt out of the tip by choosing "Other" and setting the amount to $0.

Host Committee Membership: $1,000

Name on event collateral
Recognition on Thurber House website and eblasts
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (2 tickets)
Reserved seats for award show (2 tickets)
VIP tour of Thurber House
Special ambassador responsibilities

The fair market value of host committee membership is $80.

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Ambassador Responsibilities

Proudly promote the award show to boost excitement, attendance, and sponsorships
Greet VIP reception guests*
Chaperone a writing finalist, the cartoon art winner, or another VIP during the pre-event reception and introduce them to guests*
Pose guests for the photographer*
Direct VIPs from the reception to the show*

*Ambassador responsibilities at the event are optional.

For questions about the host committee, contact Interim Executive Director Kathy Matthews at kmatthews@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-1177.