MacArthur Buys Time

Trips and projects added to Giddens' musical experience and repertoire, but these came with financial and time restraints. Money can be inconsistent in the music business, especially for Giddens, as her musical projects exist outside of and usually in defiance of popular musical norms. In 2017, Giddens received the MacArthur Award. The award, also known as the "genius grant" is an incredible distinction. For her, the grant bought her time. In an interview with Gil Kaufman of Billboard, she talked about what the award and the money meant to her. To Giddens, making money means freeing up time, which is particularly crucial as a musician, researcher, and parent. The grant allowed her to be more selective with offers, and bought her more time to spend with her young kids. [8]  In a conversation with Jay Cridlin, she explains that she did not want to commercialize her music, due to ethical concerns. She was adamant that she would keep positive parts of her pre-MacArthur life, such as tours with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, but that with the grant, she was able to be more selective in the projects she chose to take on. [9] It's clear that the MacArthur Grant didn't change the fabric of her artistic being; it just gave her room to breathe. 

[8] Kaufman, Gil. "Rhiannon Giddens on Her MacArthur 'Genius' Grant: 'I'm Thrilled to Get this Affirmation'.", Oct 11, 2017, http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/7997504/rhiannon-giddens-macarthur-genius-grant-interview.

[9] Cridlin, Jay. Rhiannon Giddens Talks Protest Music, Her MacArthur ‘genius Grant,’ Teaching Her Kids about Race and More. , 2018.