Contemporary jewelry artists worldwide have a major new opportunity to secure funding for their craft as applications officially open for the prestigious 2027 Linda Peshkin Solo Exhibition Award. Offering a substantial prize of $20,000, the grant is specifically designed to support the creation and realization of a solo exhibition, providing a vital stepping stone for an artist dedicated to advancing the field of art jewelry.
Open to jewelry artists of any age and nationality, the grant aims to overcome one of the most persistent hurdles in the contemporary art world: the significant financial barrier associated with mounting a professional exhibition. Proposed projects for this cycle must center broadly on jewelry, maintaining a flexible and contemporary definition of the medium. Artists interested in applying must submit their materials by the deadline of November 15, 2026.
This marks the second time the Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) has presented this major award, an initiative made possible through the generosity and enduring love of art jewelry shared by benefactor Linda Peshkin. To shed light on the selection process and the broader landscape of contemporary craft, AJF spoke with one of the three esteemed jurors for the 2027 grant cycle, Bella Neyman. Neyman serves alongside fellow jurors Jorge Manilla and Geraldine Fenn, whose perspectives have been featured in previous AJF coverage.
In an in-depth interview, Neyman reflected on her own introduction to the field, the transformative power of solo exhibitions, and the critical need for broader systemic support for artists.
Recalling her path into the discipline, Neyman explained that she was first introduced to contemporary art jewelry roughly two decades ago through an exhibition curated by Elyse Karlin focused on Hudson Valley jewelers at the Forbes Gallery. However, she considers her true initiation to have taken place through her involvement with the Art Jewelry Forum and a pivotal trip to Munich Jewelry Week several years later. That foundational exposure led her to deep involvement in the community, culminating nine years ago in the founding of NYC Jewelry Week, a major annual festival where contemporary jewelry remains a central pillar.
When asked about the significance of the Linda Peshkin Solo Exhibition Award and the broader impact of a solo show, Neyman emphasized that opportunities for contemporary jewelry artists to exhibit their work remain frustratingly limited. Production costs frequently present an insurmountable wall for creators who lack gallery representation, making independent financing nearly impossible without external grants.
Beyond relieving financial pressure, Neyman argued that a solo exhibition serves as a crucial point of validation for an artist. More importantly, it offers a rare platform for creators to articulate their stories in a thoughtful, cohesive manner. By enabling artists to build a coherent narrative, take their work out of the isolation of the studio, and engage in far-reaching conversations with a larger audience, a solo exhibition fulfills one of the ultimate goals of artistic practice. The career impact of such a showcase, she noted, is paramount and often resonates for many years to come.
Addressing the broader landscape of the arts, Neyman touched upon the conversations artists should be prioritizing today, noting that while the central discourse varies for every individual creator, remaining fiercely true to themselves and their personal practice is paramount.
When the conversation shifted toward alternative forms of encouragement and support beyond grants like the Linda Peshkin award, Neyman emphasized that backing must come from across the entire cultural ecosystem. Curators, writers, gallerists, and collectors all have critical roles to play in nurturing talent. Furthermore, she stressed that government bodies bear a responsibility to recognize the essential cultural contributions of the arts.
Neyman argued that the persistent cultural trope of the "poor artist" is dangerously outdated. When artistic work possesses the transformative power to change lives, society must establish a reliable foundation for creators, allowing them to pursue their craft as a sustainable full-time profession. She expressed concern that the current societal and economic system remains broken, often discouraging children from following creative paths out of a fear that they will be unable to support themselves. Instead, Neyman advocated for actively communicating the importance of the arts, taking immense pride in cultural heritage, and encouraging younger generations to express themselves in ways that genuinely move and impassion others.
Further details regarding application guidelines, eligibility requirements, and submission procedures for the 2027 Linda Peshkin Solo Exhibition Award can be found through the Art Jewelry Forum.
