Genius Grant

(Newser) - A violinist who organizes concerts for the homeless, a professor whose research is being used to increase access to civil justice by poor communities, and an activist pastor are among this year's MacArthur fellows and recipients of so-called genius grants, the AP reports. The John D. and Catherine T....

(Newser) - When silversmith Ubaldo Vitali got the phone call, he thought it was a joke. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein nearly wrote off her email as spam. But it was neither a joke or spam: Vitali and Weilerstein are among this year’s 22 recipients of the MacArthur Foundation’s $500,000 “...

(Newser) - "Master vocalist" Dawn Upshaw is among 24 "geniuses"  awarded half a million bucks by the MacArthur Foundation today. Back from a break to treat her breast cancer, Upshaw says she hopes that "a lot of amazing music comes from it. Maybe new pieces with young singers....