The foundation is also awarding more than $1 million in grants to six organizations working to build "a more sustainable and equitable ecosystem for artists." The 2026 recipients of the Doris Duke Artist Awards are (L-R): Aleshea Harris, Allison Orr, Val Jeanty, Yara Travieso, Tomeka Reid, Makaya McCraven. Erik Carter The Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) has announced the six recipients of the 2026 Doris Duke Artist Awards , who will each receive a cash prize of $525,000 in unrestricted funds – the largest cash prize in the United States dedicated to individual performing artists. Funds are allocated over seven years and include a $25,000 incentive for those who choose to allocate funds for retirement. The foundation explains that the unrestricted nature of the award allows artists to use the funds for personal needs, accessing the benefits of a social safety net that is not accessible to individual artists in the U.S.…