Queer|Art is thrilled to announce the return of the Queer|Art|Prize, a national awards program honoring LGBTQ+ artists making significant contributions to queer culture. The annual Prize awards two cash grants in the areas of Sustained Achievement and Recent Work. At $20,000 for each award, Queer|Art|Prize is the largest cash grant specifically for LGBTQ+ artists based in the United States.

After a four-year hiatus, the Prize’s return arrives amid a political moment in which LGBTQ+ communities and freedom of expression are under intensified attack. The daily reality of queer creatives—framed by the dismantling of federal cultural infrastructure, escalating funding freezes, and mounting legislative and physical threats—makes clear that values-driven investment in queer artists has never been more critical. The return of Queer|Art|Prize is a reaffirmation of that commitment, and a declaration that queer artists are best recognized and resourced on their own terms.

The relaunch is made possible by VISU Contemporary, a contemporary art gallery and creative platform based in South Beach, FL. As part of this new partnership, annual public programming will be presented in Miami Beach that spotlights artists from the QA community, including current and past QA Prize winners and finalists, and alumni of the QA Mentorship program. These programs represent a meaningful extension of QA’s national mission into the growing Miami arts community.

On May 16th, QA partners with NY’s most creative cannabis brand, FLAMER, and the Cohen Family Foundation to host a celebratory fundraiser party honoring the Prize's re-launch. The fundraiser party will be stewarded by a host committee of multidisciplinary artists, editors, and organizers at the forefront of queer cultural production: Adam Eli, David Velasco, Adam Charlap Hyman, Fran Tirado, Ceyenne Doroshow, Linda Simpson, Lio Mehiel, and Michael Falco. This event features live performances by Cherry Jaymes and MTHR TRSA, a DJ set by Purr, and more.

About the 2026 Queer|Art|Prize

The 2026 Queer|Art|Prize is a community-nominated and adjudicated national awards program, and is made possible by VISU Contemporary. The Prize highlights the impact of Queer|Art’s support on a national level, and has established itself as one of the most significant awards specifically created to recognize the interdisciplinary artistry and contributions of US-based LGBTQ+ artists. The winners of the Queer|Art|Prize in the areas of Sustained Achievement and Recent Work will receive $20,000 each, and three distinguished finalists in the area of Recent Work will also receive $5,000 each. The 2026 winners of the Queer|Art|Prize will be announced at a ceremony in the fall of this year, at a co-presenting venue in New York City to be announced at a later date.

About Queer|Art

Founded in 2009, Queer|Art cultivates a dynamic community of LGBTQ+ artists across generations and artistic disciplines. We provide intergenerational mentorship, public programming, and material support to shape culture and drive societal change.

The devastating loss of a generation of artists to the ongoing AIDS pandemic has created a profound longing for cross-generational connections, mentorship, and community. Queer|Art serves as a ballast against this loss, seeking to highlight and address a continuing fundamental lack of both economic and institutional support for our community. Ongoing programmatic initiatives include: our annual cornerstone program, the year-long Queer|Art|Mentorship and a wide array of awards, grants, and offerings that provide direct support to LGBTQ+ artists.

Queer|Art|Prize Fundraiser