mary bowman arts in activism award 2025

Dedicated to continuing the legacy of the late HIV/AIDS, health, racial, and social justice art activist, Mary Bowman, these $5,000 awards support those who, through their art, are working toward and committed to making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS and/or advancing health, racial, and social justice.

HIV/AIDS is a disease that intersects with social justice issues, such as discrimination, economic inequality, and human rights. Social justice initiatives can help fight HIV/AIDS by addressing these issues and improving access to healthcare. Therefore, this award program is not exclusive to HIV/AIDS work and activism.

The Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award

To honor Mary’s legacy and support other accomplished young and emerging art activists (“artivists”) like her, the National AIDS Memorial created the Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award. Student and non-student art activists are welcome to apply for this award. These $5,000 awards are intended to support young and emerging artivists (ages 27 and younger) each year who exemplify Mary’s passion for the arts as the vehicle for their own HIV/AIDS and/or health and social justice community activism and expression.

Recipients of the Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award use their art and activism to raise greater awareness about bigotry, stigma, and social justice around the issue of HIV/AIDS and/or the persisting health and social inequities that fuel the continued spread of the disease.