The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the twenty-four winners of its annual fellowships, and among them are three creative writers: playwright Annie Baker and fiction writers Viet Thanh Nguyen and Jesmyn Ward.

“From transforming conditions for low-wage workers to identifying internet security vulnerabilities, from celebrating the African American string band tradition to designing resilient urban habitats, these new MacArthur Fellows bring their exceptional creativity to diverse people, places, and social challenges. Their work gives us reason for optimism and inspires us all,” said Cecilia Conrad, Managing Director of the MacArthur Fellows Program.

The Foundation’s criteria for its fellows are: “Exceptional creativity”; “Promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishments”; and “Potential for the Fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work.” Each fellow receives $625,000 over five years.

Image credits: MacArthur Foundation