Congratulations to David Simon, who has just been named a MacArthur Fellow. Simon, the creator of such acclaimed television series as The Wire (to which Nonesuch released the official soundtracks in 2008) and Treme, was among the 23 new MacArthur Fellows for 2010 named earlier today by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This year's class includes, in addition to Simon, a stone carver, a quantum astrophysicist, a jazz pianist, a high school physics teacher, a marine biologist, a theater director, an American historian, a fiction writer, an economist, and a computer security scientist. All were selected for their creativity, originality, and potential to make important contributions in the future.

The recipients just learned, through a phone call out of the blue from the Foundation, that they will each receive $500,000 in “no strings attached” support over the next five years. MacArthur Fellowships, often referred to as "Genius" grants, come without stipulations and reporting requirements and offer Fellows unprecedented freedom and opportunity to reflect, create, and explore. Soprano Dawn Upshaw was named a Fellow in 2007.

“This group of Fellows, along with the more than 800 who have come before, reflects the tremendous breadth of creativity among us,” said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. “They are explorers and risk takers, contributing to their fields and to society in innovative, impactful ways. They provide us all with inspiration and hope for the future.”

“There is something palpable about these new MacArthur Fellows, about their character as explorers and pioneers at the cutting edge. These are women and men improving, protecting, and making our world a better place for us all. This program was designed for such people—designed to provide an extra measure of freedom, visibility, and opportunity,” said Daniel J. Socolow, Director of the MacArthur Fellows Program.

The inaugural class of MacArthur Fellows was named in 1981. Including this year’s Fellows, 828 people, ranging in age from 18 to 82 at the time of their selection, have been named MacArthur Fellows since the inception of the program 30 years ago.

For more information, visit macfound.org.