Wayne State University faculty, staff and alumni earn Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award nods

Across the board, Wayne State University's presence is felt among this year’s Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients.

Warriors among the 2024 Kresge Artist Fellows class include Department of Communication’s Juanita Anderson, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts’ Alesyn McCall, and Department of Music alumnus Maurice Draughn. Department of Communication alumna Hannah E. Fahoome earned a Gilda Award in film and music.

The 16th cohort of award recipients consists of 17 Kresge Artist Fellows in film and music and seven Kresge Artist Fellows in Live Arts, in addition to seven Gilda Awards in Film and Music and three in Live Arts.

“Arts and culture bind people to Detroit and create professional opportunities,” said College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Dean Hasan Elahi. “At Wayne State, we are thrilled to be intrinsically connected as we work to produce and support the artists who drive our future, which contributes to the economic impact of our community. The Kresge Foundation works to ensure that Detroit remains at the forefront of its strong legacy and current vitality in arts and culture.”
 
A celebration for all of the 2024 Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients will be held July 16 on WSU’s campus at the Hilberry Gateway. The no strings attached awards were announced June 27 by the Kresge Arts in Detroit office located at the College for Creative Studies, which administers the program on behalf of The Kresge Foundation.

Kresge Artist Fellowships are $40,000 no strings attached awards for emerging and established artists at any stage of their careers. Fellowships recognize creative vision and commitment to excellence within a wide range of artistic disciplines — including artists who have been academically trained, self-taught artists, and artists whose art forms have been passed down through cultural heritage.

In addition to the monetary prize, Kresge Arts in Detroit connects fellows and Gilda Award recipients to legal and accounting support, event and exhibition opportunities, and more. Fellows also are invited to participate in a film series highlighting Detroit artists.

Anderson, head of media arts and studies in the Department of Communication, was named a film and music fellow. Born and raised in Detroit, her body of work as filmmaker, producer, and photographer spans more than four decades. Anderson’s 2023 film, “Sydney G. James: How We See Us,” is included in the “American Masters” short film series, “In The Making.”

"It is such a tremendous honor to receive this recognition in my hometown of Detroit," said Anderson. "Being named a Kresge Artist Fellow is truly validation that the work I do matters."

A seven-time Emmy winner for her work in public media, Anderson was the executive producer of the 1988 Academy Award-nominated feature film, “Who Killed Vincent Chin?,” which was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2021. Her photography is also in the collections of Fayetteville State University, Southern Methodist University, and the Mott-Warsh Collection.

McCall, supervisor of promotions and outreach for the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, was also named a film and music fellow for her work with Beats Rhymes Everything Detroit (BRED). McCall, a filmmaker, actor, hip-hop artist, DJ, trombonist and arts administrator, founded BRED in 2011 with her brother, Richard “King Kvll” McCall II, a DJ, producer, hip-hop artist, bassist and community organizer. BRED is a collective of music artists who uplift and celebrate Detroit talent.

“I know what I learned as a student at Wayne State (graduating in 2022 in arts administration) and implemented into my artistic career had an unspeakable impact. It feels amazing to be honored as a film and music fellow in the most musically innovative city in America,” McCall said. “My brother and I started Beats Rhymes Everything Detroit when he was still in high school, and I had just finished my undergraduate degree from Howard University in film. We have been at this for over a decade, and it's the best feeling to be able to share this honor with family. How many siblings get to say that?”

Department of Music alumnus Draughn was named as a Kresge Artist Fellow for music composition and performance. As a native of Detroit, opportunities for creative excellence were prevalent throughout Draughn’s formative years. The musical heritage of his family and the artistic community in Detroit continues to inspire him as an artist and composer.

Being an active performer has allowed Draughn to collaborate with various artists, from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to Stevie Wonder. Draughn also received the Arts Educator Award during the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts’ 2023 Arts Achievement Awards.

Rounding out Wayne State’s representation, Department of Communication alumna Fahoome was named a Gilda Award recipient in film and music. Fahoome is a filmmaker and CEO of Now Listen Here, Young Lady!! LLC, a boutique production company. She works at the Arab American National Museum, creating video content that showcases her culture to global audiences. Fahoome guest lectures on film philosophy and holds a bachelor’s degree in film production with honors from Wayne State.

Gilda Awards — named in honor of Gilda Snowden’s legacy as a mentor and champion of emerging artists in Metro Detroit — recognize artists who are early in their artistic career, gaining momentum, and demonstrate exceptional potential through creative risk-taking and pushing the boundaries of their chosen art form.

Produced by Kresge Arts in Detroit, offerings are created and delivered in collaboration with artists and arts and culture organizations representing local and national perspectives.

“It is thrilling to kick off the next chapter of Kresge Arts in Detroit’s unrestricted investment in artists with an incredible cohort and increased investment from The Kresge Foundation. We respect the expertise of artists,” said Kresge Arts in Detroit Director Christina deRoos. “That includes knowing how best to leverage the monetary portion of the awards, whether that be to create, rest, save, travel, care for their family, or something else. These investments are foundational to a thriving Detroit because vibrant arts and culture communities are vital to our neighborhoods.”