Andy Warhol Foundation Honors Bowie State Art Professor With National Writing Grant

A nationally competitive arts writing award is recognizing the work of Richard May, an adjunct professor in Bowie State University’s Department of Fine & Performing Arts, who has been named a 2025 recipient of the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant. The honor places May among a select group of writers whose work advances critical dialogue around contemporary visual art and its role in society. 

May was selected in the Short-Form Writing category as part of the foundation’s 2025 grant cycle, which awarded a total of $1,040,000 to 31 writers nationwide. Grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 support projects across four categories: Articles, Books, Short-Form Writing and Translation. The Short-Form Writing category supports concise, critical works such as essays, reviews and experimental texts that engage contemporary art and ideas for broad audiences. 

“I am honored to be included among this year’s Arts Writers Grant recipients,” May said. “The grant provides meaningful support for critical writing and affirms the importance of engaging thoughtfully with contemporary art.” 

Administered by Creative Capital, the Arts Writers Grant supports writing that engages deeply with contemporary art while addressing the financial challenges faced by arts writers. Over the past 20 years, the program has awarded more than $13.5 million to more than 450 writers, reinforcing the importance of critical writing within the visual arts. 

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts emphasizes the role of arts writers in helping audiences better understand and connect with art by examining cultural, political and social contexts and amplifying artists’ voices beyond traditional exhibition spaces. 

May’s recognition reflects the strength of Bowie State University’s faculty and its commitment to scholarship, creative practice and cultural engagement. As an adjunct professor teaching art, May brings professional insight and critical perspective into the classroom, and his national recognition reinforces the real-world relevance and contemporary focus he brings to his students. 

Announced in December, the 2025 Arts Writers Grant recipients represent a wide range of voices and global perspectives, underscoring the continued relevance of visual art in addressing complex issues and fostering meaningful dialogue. 

This national honor highlights the impact of Bowie State faculty whose work bridges teaching, scholarship and public discourse, strengthening the university’s presence within the broader arts and humanities community.