Chicago, Ill. — The MacArthur Foundation today named 23 new Fellows for 2012. Included in their prestigious lineup is mandolinist Chris Thile.
Working across a broad spectrum of endeavors, in addition to Thile, the Fellows include a pediatric neurosurgeon, a marine ecologist, a journalist, a photographer, an optical physicist and astronomer, a stringed-instrument bow maker, a geochemist, a fiction writer, and an arts entrepreneur. All were selected for their creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future.
The recipients learned, through a phone call out of the blue from the Foundation, that they will each receive $500,000 in no-strings-attached support over the next five years. MacArthur Fellowships come without stipulations or reporting requirements and offer Fellows unprecedented freedom and opportunity to reflect, create, and explore. The unusual level of independence afforded to Fellows underscores the spirit of freedom intrinsic to creative endeavors. The work of MacArthur Fellows knows neither boundaries nor the constraints of age, place, and endeavor.
"These extraordinary individuals demonstrate the power of creativity," said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. "The MacArthur Fellowship is not only a recognition of their impressive past accomplishments but also, more importantly, an investment in their potential for the future. We believe in their creative instincts and hope the freedom the Fellowship provides will enable them to pursue unfettered their insights and ideas for the benefit of the world."
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Congratulations to Chris! He is indeed a musical genius. And kudos to the MacArthur Foundation for supporting and recognizing a great artist. That being said, Chris-can I borrow 20 bucks?
Cleveland Joel
October 02, 2012 02:18 PM
Hurrah for Chris & our 8-stringed friends! I think it is great that MacArthur Foundation has made a choice to recognize people earlier in their career so that they can catalyze on the recognition and resources.
Not sure if anyone has suggested this yet, but I truly think it would be awesome if Chris taught mandolin at The Curtis Institute of Music right here in Philly. It's probably less than 2 hours from Brooklyn and Edgar should be able to create the hookup. How 'bout it Chris?
Mandobar
October 03, 2012 09:41 AM
the problem with teaching at a place like Curtis is they need those academic credentials. since Curtis is heavily endowed (tuition is free for those who can get in) teaching there comes with rules. I have a friend who is a fairly well know poet. He was offered a job teaching at a very well known university, until they found out he did not even possess an associates degree. They quickly spirited him off to their Masters program, which he worked through with the aid of some grants and scholarships. He is now a professor at the school, but only after completing the graduate program.
morazda
October 05, 2012 09:06 AM
He is my absolute FAV mandolin player, and the reason why I play mandolin, or even listen to Bluegrass or NuGrass to this day (which is saying a lot for a city kid from Boston).
I can't think of anyone better to have won this award.
Congratulations Chris, you absolutely deserve this award.
JimRym
October 05, 2012 12:43 PM
I think Chris is a wonderful musician. He's helped expose the acoustic/bluegrass genre to a young audience that might not otherwise have access to it. Kudos is certainly in order...however a MacArthur Genius Grant??? I can think of dozens of musicians in the BG idiom who are arguably more deserving. Good Gawd...David Grisman has 'invented' a musical form...
Jim Garber
October 05, 2012 02:04 PM
Quote from JimRym: I think Chris is a wonderful musician. He's helped expose the acoustic/bluegrass genre to a young audience that might not otherwise have access to it. Kudos is certainly in order...however a MacArthur Genius Grant??? I can think of dozens of musicians in the BG idiom who are arguably more deserving. Good Gawd...David Grisman has 'invented' a musical form... End Quote
I am sure you can argue all you want for other choices, however the MacArthur people do have their own criteria, specifically:
[QUOTE]Although nominees are reviewed for their achievements, the fellowship is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an investment in a person's originality, insight, and potential. Indeed, the purpose of the MacArthur Fellows Program is to enable recipients to exercise their own creative instincts for the benefit of human society. End Quote
Darren Bailey
October 05, 2012 02:19 PM
I'm sure there isn't a more deserving genius in the field of music - however, since lightning rarely strikes twice I'm thinking of learning the oboe.
stevieguitarhodges
October 16, 2012 01:12 PM
I think Chris is a brilliant pick (pun intended) for one of these grants. He really is pushing boundaries, and while, yes, there are many eligible musicians, he is not a slacker in this area. I'm envious, yes--who wouldn't love to have such a gig for five years?--but I'm happy for him as well. He's a nice guy and an incredibly creative, rigorous player. Good luck, Chris.
Steve
Newmexmandoboy
October 19, 2012 10:47 AM
I just listened to this interview
and it sounds like Thile bought another Loar. I figured there would be a thread about it in the forums, but didn't find anything. What is the buzz?
jgw
Scott Tichenor
October 19, 2012 10:50 AM
Quote from Newmexmandoboy: I just listened to this interview
and it sounds like Thile bought another Loar. I figured there would be a thread about it in the forums, but didn't find anything. What is the buzz?
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