The Burke Prize

Named for Marian and Russell Burke, two passionate collectors of craft and longtime supporters of MAD, the Burke Prize is an annual award that reinforces the Museum’s commitment to celebrating the next generation of artists working in and advancing the disciplines that shaped the American studio craft movement.

The prize is an unrestricted $50,000 award made to a professional artist age 45 or under working in glass, fiber, clay, metal, or wood.

Each fall, the Museum presents an exhibition of works by the Burke Prize finalists. The winner is announced at the MAD Ball, the Museum’s annual fundraising gala. Learn about the 2018 Burke Prize finalists and exhibition here.

The Burke Prize finalists and winner are determined by an annual jury, chaired by Shannon R. Stratton, MAD’s William and Mildred Lasdon Chief Curator, and professionals in the fields of art, craft, and design, following an open application process.

Application Requirements

Applicants must be:

• A US citizen or a permanent legal resident
• At least 21 years old and not older than 45 at the time of application 
• A working artist, not a hobbyist, who can demonstrate a commitment to their practice as a professional
• Applicants cannot be:
• An institution or small business
• A student in a degree-granting program or its equivalent at the time of application, even if graduation is pending the same year
• A current employee, consultant, board member, or major funder of the Museum of Arts and Design, or an immediate family member of such a person
• A previous recipient of the Burke Prize