MIAMI, FL [August 7, 2026] – Locust Projects, Miami’s longest running incubator of new art and ideas, announces the recipients of its 2026 WaveMaker Grants made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation’s Regional Regranting Program. Twelve Miami-based artists/collectives will each receive up to $6,000 in three categories: New Work / Projects, Long-Haul Projects, and Research & Development + Implementation.
The 2026 WaveMakers are: New Work / Projects: larí garcía and Sue Montoya | Lisa Kusanagi | Bex McCharen | Najja Moon | Ọmọlará Williams McCallister | Enrique Villacreses | Luka Gotsiridze; Long-Haul Projects: Isabella Bru; Research + Development: Nicole Combeau | Orlando Estrada | Oscar Rieveling; Implementation: Teri Watson.
In the spirit of Locust Projects’ artist-centered mission in support of the creation of experimental new work, WaveMaker Grantees take risks to experiment beyond traditional models for presenting art, creating innovative work that is accessible to the public and presented in non-traditional venues across Miami.
"Locust Projects exists to advocate for artists," says Lorie Mertes, Executive Director. "WaveMaker grants are one of the ways how we do it — funding Miami-based artists through grant support from the Warhol Foundation to take risks, experiment, and turn bold ideas into projects that activate dialogue and interaction in unconventional spaces across the city.”
The 2026 WaveMaker grant announcement marks a total of $750,000 in WaveMaker incubator grants awarded to 152 of Miami’s most visionary artists, curators, and collectives since the initiative launched in 2015. Administered by Locust Projects since 2017, WaveMaker Grants provide vital funds at critical moments in the development and implementation of publicly accessible, innovative projects across Miami-Dade County. Over the past 11 years, Wavemaker has helped launch many artist’s careers and supported the launch and long-term sustainability of local, artist-run initiatives such as: Commissioner, Dimensions Variable, EXILE Books, Extra Virgin Press, Women’s Artist Archive Miami, and Third Horizon Film Festival, among others.
This year’s twelve grant recipients were selected from 115 applicants with the criteria that none of the New Work/Projects, Long Haul or R+D applicants had received a Wavemaker grant in the past five years and that all projects met the criteria for conceptual rigor and relevance to the local cultural, geographic, and socio-economic context, impact on the local community, financial feasibility, and the accessibility of the resulting project in an unconventional space to the public for free.
2026 WAVEMAKER REVIEW PANEL
The 2026 WaveMaker selection panel included: Roxana Barba, 2025 WaveMaker Grantee; Shauta Marsh, Co-Founder and Director of Programs & Exhibitions at Big Car Collaborative, administrator of the Andy Warhol Foundation Regional Regranting Partner Power Plant Grants in Indianapolis, Indiana; Marie Vickles, Senior Director of Education at Pérez Art Museum Miami, independent curator, and artist; and Alexis Wilkinson, Curator at MOCA Tucson and Warhol Regional Regranting Partner Night Bloom Grants in Tucson, Arizona.
Focused on supporting experimental projects intended for unconventional spaces accessible to the public, WaveMaker Grants introduce audiences to innovative artistic practices, responds to issues and ideas relevant to our community, and serves as a catalyst for dialogue and exchange. Visit wavemakergrants.org for more information and upcoming application deadlines.