Publications Essays on Contemporary Art

In 1999, a series of commissioned writings on contemporary art, published in the Foundation's annual grants booklet, was inaugurated. The essays, by renowned arts writers, artists and friends of FCA, deal with a myriad of topics relevant to contemporary art, from questions on the nature of performance art to global climate change.

2018 commissioned essay author and 2012 grantee Kate Millett in her studio, New York, NY, 2000. Photo by Bettina Flitner.

2017 commissioned essay author and 1997 grantee Neil Greenberg in Solo for Lost and Found, at Danspace Project, New York, 2016. Photo by Ian Douglas.

2012 commissioned essay author and 1999 grantee Stephen Petronio, from the premiere of Beauty and the Brut, at The Joyce Theater, New York, 2008. Photo by Sarah Silver.

Essays

UNTITLED
Matana Roberts (2013 Grantee)
2023

Let’s Walk Right Up to the Sun, Hand-in-Hand (Imagine That)
Julie Tolentino (2019 Grantee)
2022

tilling, limning notes
Fred Moten (2018 Roy Lichtenstein Awardee)
2021

Genghis Chan on Drums
John Yau (2002 Grantee)
2020

Merce Cunningham April 16, 1919 - July 26, 2009
Carolyn Brown
2019

What Is To Be Done
Kate Millett (2012 Grantee)
2018

Construction With Varied Materials
Neil Greenberg (1997 Grantee)
2017

Report From The Interrogator
Patricia Spears Jones (1996 Grantee)
2016

Who'd become a painter?
Trevor Winkfield (1993 Grantee)
2015

Everything and Nothing
Siobhan Liddell (1999 Grantee)
2014

Essay
Paul Chan (2006 Grantee)
2013

Essay
Stephen Petronio (1999 Grantee)
2012

Untitled
Ruth Maleczech (2009 Grantee)
2011

Diary Entry
Merce Cunningham
2010

Essay
Paula Cooper
2010

Overdrive
Calvin Tomkins
2009

Untitled
Meredith Kahn Rollins
2008

Animals and Art
Ron Padgett (1996 Grantee)
2007

Untitled
Nancy Dalva
2003-2006

Global Warming and Art
John Luther Adams (1993 Grantee)
2002

Untitled
John Cage
2001

Nota Bene: David Smith
Robert Storr
2000

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Performance Art
Linda Yablonsky
1999