The centennial class of fellows of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has been revealed. Included among the 198 artists and scholars is Broadway playwright Larissa FastHorse. The fellowship, established by senator John Simon Guggenheim, awards each fellow a monetary prize to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.” FastHorse was named the inaugural appointee in the Indigenous Studies category.
FastHorse became the first known Native American female playwright to take a Broadway bow when her comedy “The Thanksgiving Play” opened at the Hayes Theater in spring 2023. FastHorse’s other plays include “For the People” (co-written with Ty Defoe), which played Minnesota’s Guthrie Theatre in 2023, as well as a trio of plays, “Urban Rez,” “Native Nation” and “Wicoun,” all of which were produced by Cornerstone Theater Company and created using participatory research and engagement with Indigenous communities. FastHorse also crafted a revised book for the 2024 national tour of “Peter Pan.”
“At a time when intellectual life is under attack, the Guggenheim Fellowship celebrates a century of support for the lives and work of visionary scientists, scholars, writers and artists,” said poet and foundation president Edward Hirsch in a statement. “We believe that these creative thinkers can take on the challenges we all face today and guide our society towards a better and more hopeful future.”
Since its 1925 founding, the Guggenheim Fellowship has awarded over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 individuals. A full list of the 2025 fellows can be found here.
