Columbia University is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamaica Kincaid as Artist in Residence in the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department for Spring 2026, in recognition of her profound contributions to contemporary literature, cultural criticism, and artistic practice.
One of the most influential writers of her generation, Kincaid is internationally renowned for her incisive explorations of colonialism, power, memory, gender, and the complexities of postcolonial identity. Her work spanning novels, essays, memoirs, and criticism has reshaped global literary discourse while remaining deeply rooted in the lived realities of the Caribbean and its diasporas.
During her residency at Columbia, Kincaid will engage students, faculty, and the broader public through workshops, public conversations, and/or readings, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Her presence will offer a rare opportunity for sustained engagement with a practice that bridges literature, history, politics, and lived experience.
Born in Antigua, Jamaica Kincaid is the author of numerous acclaimed works, including “Annie John, Lucy, The Autobiography of My Mother, A Small Place, and See Now Then.” Her writing is widely taught and translated, and her influence extends far beyond literature into art, cultural studies, and political thought.
The Artist in Residence program reflects the department’s commitment to supporting visionary artists whose work expands critical inquiry and public discourse. Kincaid’s residency underscores Columbia University’s ongoing dedication to amplifying global voices and fostering transformative cultural exchange.
