2021 Vilcek Prizes

Meet the 2021 prizewinners

Mission

The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in America and fosters appreciation of the arts and sciences.

We honor foreign-born artists, scientists, and advocates of immigrant rights living and working in the United States for their outstanding contributions to society.

Prizes

2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners

Nine prizes totaling $600,000 are being awarded to immigrant leaders in biomedical science and filmmaking, including Ruth Lehmann and Rodrigo Prieto; Andrew Yang is awarded the Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Public Service.

MEET THE 2021 PRIZEWINNERS

Vilcek Foundation Prizes

Awarded annually, the Vilcek Foundation Prizes honor immigrants for extraordinary contributions in the arts and sciences.

 

LEARN ABOUT THE PRIZES

Art

Still Life with Dial

1922 Stuart Davis
A cubist still life featuring a cup and saucer, stack of magazines, and jug on an upturned table top.

Acoma Four Color Polychrome Olla

c. 1900 Unknown Artist
An Acoma pot decorated in white, red, orange, and black geometric shapes.

Mont Sainte-Victoire

c. 1927 Marsden Hartley
Painting of a mountain ridge in navy and pink surrounded by a landscape of warm pinks, reds, and green.

Black Package

1965 Christo
A package wrapped in black fabric with twine and rope and attached to a white block of wood and enclosed in plexiglass.

Bomber

1944 Ralston Crawford
Painting of a plane crash with debris from the aircraft, buildings, and landscape, including a bicycle.

Mezcala Temple with Four Columns and Recumbent Figure

200 BCE–500 CE Unknown Artist
Sculpture of a four column temple with a reclining figure on the top and a staircase carved into the base.

Penumbra

2007-2010 Neri Oxman
Translucent yellow abstract sculpture with multiple folds.

Women and Trees

1911 Max Weber
A group of pale, nude women scattered among the trees in a forest.

News

September 7, 2020

Announcing the 2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners

The 2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizes celebrate the outstanding career achievements of immigrant leaders in filmmaking, biomedical science, and public service.
September 7, 2020

2021 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science Recognize Immigrant Leaders in STEM

$250,000 in Vilcek Foundation Prizes awarded to Ruth Lehmann, Mohamed Abou Donia, Ibrahim Cissé, and Silvi Rouskin.
September 7, 2020

Vilcek Foundation Awards $250,000 in Prizes to Immigrant Filmmakers

Visionary cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto receives the 2021 Vilcek Prize in Filmmaking. The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Filmmaking are awarded to Juan Pablo González, Miko Revereza, and Nanfu Wang.
September 7, 2020

Vilcek Foundation Awards the 2021 Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Public Service to Andrew Yang

Entrepreneur, author, and non-profit leader Andrew Yang is the recipient of the 2021 Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Public Service for his leadership in advancing progressive ideas addressing issues from wealth inequality to autism awareness in the United States.
July 5, 2020

Newsmaker: Yaa Gyasi

Creative Promise Prizewinner Yaa Gyasi's latest work deals with addiction, depression, and faith.
July 15, 2020

Dr. Vivek Murthy: The Power of Human Connection

Meet Dr. Vivek Murthy, 19th Surgeon General of the United States and recipient of the 2020 Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare.