Terrance Hayes just got the call of a lifetime.
The MacArthur Foundation announced the recipients of its 2014 Fellowships– more commonly known as “genius grants”–which included the renowned University of Pittsburgh professor of writing and local poet Terrance Hayes. He shares the honor with only 20 other recipients.
Hayes, who is originally from South Carolina, received national recognition for his 2010 publication, “Lighthead,” which won him the National Book Award. His other publications include “Hip Logic,” “Wind in a Box,” and “Muscular Music,” all of which feature his own artwork on the cover.
Hayes’ previous awards include a Pushcart Prize, winner of the 2001 National Poetry Series, the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, a Whiting Writers Award, as well as fellowships with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation.
Hayes’ fellowship will come with a $625,000 award, that will be paid to him in increments over five years. He joins three other Pittsburghers to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, including Bill Strickland of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild.
A complete list of the recipients can be found here.