HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Leilehua Lanzilotti is a local, award-winning artist from Hawai‘i who is no stranger to groundbreaking work that challenges the boundaries of art and community. Recently, they received a prestigious Creative Capital Award, a recognition that will allow her to elevate her projects and expand her reach within both the artistic and local communities they hold dear. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You This award, which provides unrestricted project grants to artists with visionary ideas, will empower Lanzilotti to continue her quest to fuse art, culture and place in a way few others can. Lanzilotti, whose background spans a rich blend of classical music, Hawaiian traditions and experimental multimedia, views her work not just as an art form but as a way to give others the freedom to explore and connect with their own creative voices. \ “My art is kind of giving everyone that experience,” they said. “Not everyone gets to experience feeling like they’re welcome in those kinds of institutional spaces.” Growing up surrounded by contemporary art at the Contemporary Museum on the Tantalus, they had a unique childhood that greatly influenced her artistic journey. “Since I had two working parents, we would come to the museum, and I would go and run around in the gardens between the sculptures and the contemporary art,” Lanzilotti recalled. The museum, which closed in 2019, was a space that fostered creativity and playfulness. Lanzilotti often found herself among the sculptures and art installations, an experience that gave her an appreciation for how art can both challenge and invite viewers to participate. For Lanzilotti, this sense of accessibility has remained a core theme in her work. “It was so important for me to be able to be in that space, to be surrounded by those artists,” they said, emphasizing the profound influence of the museum on her approach to art-making. Her own practice mirrors this sense of inclusion, offering viewers the opportunity to engage deeply with art, whether through sound installations, music, or multimedia performances. As an artist who bridges classical and contemporary forms, Lanzilotti’s mediums range from the viola, her primary instrument, to objects like sculpture, ceramics and paper. “I’ve done some things with the city and county actually playing on the huge Noguchi sculpture there and drawing the sound from that as inspiration for the sound world of a piece,” they explained. These unique intersections of art forms reflect her dedication to creating immersive, innovative experiences that engage the viewer in ways that are unexpected and full of wonder. The Creative Capital Award that Lanzilotti recently received represents a transformative opportunity to further develop her work. Creative Capital, which has been supporting experimental artists for more than 25 years, awards substantial grants to individual artists in the fields of Visual Arts, Technology, Performing Arts, Film/Moving Image and Literature. For the 2025 award cycle, Creative Capital is investing $2.45 million in 55 artists; and Lanzilotti is amongst the selected few who will receive unrestricted funding for her projects. “What’s so important about the Creative Capital grant is the way it allows for substantial funding to move a project forward in a way that creates sustainability,” Lanzilotti said. “We don’t have anything like that here in Hawai‘i. There are programs in other places, but currently here, we don’t have anything like that.” Lanzilotti’s recognition signals a step forward in the broader cultural conversation surrounding art and place, particularly within Hawai‘i, where rising costs and limited funding often make it difficult for artists to remain grounded in their local communities. In addition to its financial support, Creative Capital provides crucial professional development services, community-building opportunities and a national network that connects artists with presenters, curators and other influential voices in the arts. “It’s a big deal to actually have a substantial award that helps to move a project forward,” Lanzilotti said. “And to be on the ground working with teams, it makes a huge difference, especially when so many of us are getting priced out of being here.” Lanzilotti’s project, which revolves around Hawaiian themes and is deeply connected to her community, exemplifies the kinds of socially engaged and community-based projects Creative Capital seeks to support. The award, in many ways, is more than just a financial boost; it is a recognition of the power of local narratives and the importance of maintaining strong cultural ties. “It’s really important that community is involved in every part of this process,” Lanzilotti said, highlighting how Creative Capital’s focus on community resonance aligns with her own values. The Creative Capital Award is especially significant given the context of Hawai‘i’s artistic landscape. Lanzilotti, along with other contemporary Hawaiian artists, has been working to carve out space for local voices in the broader field of performing and visual arts. “We have such a vibrant community here,” they said, referencing the rich tapestry of Hawaiian practitioners and artists of diverse backgrounds who contribute to Hawai‘i’s arts scene. However, they pointed out that contemporary performing arts in Hawai‘i have not always received the same level of attention and support as other forms. That’s why Lanzilotti’s work is so vital. Her efforts to bridge traditional Hawaiian practices with contemporary art forms are helping to shift the narrative. Through her work, they are part of a larger movement to amplify Hawaiian voices and cultural practices in contemporary settings. And this is precisely why the Creative Capital Award is so important. By supporting artists like Lanzilotti, it acknowledges the necessity of art that is deeply embedded in the places and communities it represents. Beyond the Creative Capital Award, Lanzilotti is also involved in other exciting initiatives that aim to foster artistic exchange and support local artists. One such project is a program announced by the Doris Duke Foundation through Shangri-La, which seeks to bring together both local and diasporic Kānaka Maoli artists working in contemporary performance. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the narrative of contemporary arts in Hawai‘i as a means of ensuring that local and indigenous voices are well-represented and well-supported in the art world. “It’s really exciting to see this kind of support for contemporary performance,” Lanzilotti said. “The Doris Duke Foundation’s initiative is intentional in its focus on Kānaka Maoli voices and how we bridge traditional and contemporary practices.” This program, which will include an artist cohort residency, is part of a larger movement to create sustainable spaces for Hawai‘i’s artists to thrive, innovate and share their work with the world. Lanzilotti’s enthusiasm for these developments is palpable as they continue to champion the intersection of tradition and innovation in her work. “We’re still here, and we’re still creating new work,” they said as they reinforced the idea that contemporary Hawaiian art is alive and thriving in new and exciting ways. With the support of organizations like Creative Capital and the Doris Duke Foundation, Lanzilotti and her peers are helping to define a new era of artistic expression that is rooted in Hawai‘i’s culture while looking toward the future. Looking ahead, Lanzilotti’s path is one that will undoubtedly inspire other artists in Hawai‘i and beyond. The Creative Capital Award is a recognition of the depth and originality of her work, and it provides the necessary resources to expand her reach and impact. As Lanzilotti continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art and performance, they remain committed to making art that is inclusive, accessible and deeply connected to the community. “It’s important to think about what it means to engage in contemporary work,” Lanzilotti said, reflecting on her journey as an artist. “We’re still creating new work, and that’s a message that needs to be heard.” As Lanzilotti’s career continues to unfold, it is clear that they are creating art for herself and for her community in order to ensure that Hawai‘i’s vibrant artistic culture remains strong and relevant in the world of contemporary art. You can click here to learn more about Creative Capital. With the Creative Capital Award fueling her next steps, there’s no doubt that Lanzilotti will continue to break new ground and foster creativity and connection through every project they embark on.