Curated By Kevin B. Chen
October 17, 2026 thru
November 15, 2026
Marking the 40th anniversary of the awards, SOMArts Cultural Center and the San Francisco Foundation are honored to present the 2026 Murphy and Cadogan Contemporary Art Awards Exhibition, featuring 15 emerging visual artists developing their artistic practices through painting, sculpture, hybrid practice, installation art, mixed media, drawing, and photography. The exhibition is free and open to all ages, and will be on view in SOMArts’ Main Gallery from October 17–November 15, 2026.
About the Awards
The Jack K. and Gertrude Murphy Award and the Edwin Anthony and Adalaine Boudreaux Cadogan Scholarships help fuel the forward-thinking visual arts movement that makes the Bay Area unique. These awards were established in 1986 and are designed to further the development of Bay Area master of fine arts students and to foster the exploration of their artistic potential. The winners of the Murphy Award and the Cadogan Scholarships receive financial awards (award amounts to be determined when applications reopen). Each winner also has their work displayed in a professionally curated exhibition by Kevin B. Chen at SOMArts Cultural Center.
2026 Murphy & Cadogan Awardees
Mingqi Ma,
California
College of the Arts
Murphy Award
Alyssa Aviles
Stanford University
Cadogan Award
eva birhanu
California
College of the Arts
Cadogan Award
Anna Isabelle
Bruey Sedano,
San Francisco
State University
Cadogan Award
mark thomas duffy, University of California, Berkeley
Cadogan Award
Alex Ehmer,
California
College of the Arts
Cadogan Award
Samantha
Maria Espinoza,
San Francisco
State University
Cadogan Award
Minh Lê,
San José
State University
Cadogan Award
Kamyar Mohsenin,
California
College of the Arts
Cadogan Award
Lian Yung,
California
College of the Arts
Cadogan Award
Khadijah Morley,
California
College of the Arts
Cadogan Award
Ariella Robinson,
University of California, Berkeley
Cadogan Award
Leyla Jamil Rzayeva,
San Francisco
State University
Cadogan Award
Bhavani Srinivas,
University of California, Berkeley
Cadogan Award
Chukwudubem Ukaigwe,
Stanford University
Cadogan Award
Gallery Hours
Entry to SOMArts during gallery hours is always free and all ages
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 3:00–7:00 PM |
| Friday | 12:00–7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00–5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00–5:00 PM |
About San Francisco Foundation
San Francisco Foundation is committed to a Bay Area where everyone can get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, and exercise their political voice. The foundation advances its work through grantmaking, partnerships with donors, policy advocacy, and impact investing. Learn more at sff.org.
Header photo courtesy of Claire S. Burke, 2023.
