LSU New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop alumnus Bryan Washington has been named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing exceptional creativity.
Washington, who earned his MFA from the University of New Orleans in 2018, is a fiction writer known for stories exploring relationships, family, place and everyday life. His books include the short story collection Lot and the novels Memorial, Family Meal and Palaver. His writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine and Granta.
Often referred to as a “genius grant,” the MacArthur Fellowship recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and the potential for significant future work. Fellows do not apply for the award and receive $800,000 in unrestricted funding over five years, allowing them to pursue their creative work without specific requirements.
Washington is one of the 2026 MacArthur Fellows selected from across a wide range of fields in the arts, sciences and humanities.
