The 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor
A Spectacular Evening of Laughter, Surprises, Fun, and Frivolity!
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Columbus College of Art and Design | Columbus, Ohio
Hosted by 2014 Thurber Prize Winner John Kenney
A Legacy of Humor
Awarded annually, the Thurber Prize for American Humor is one of the highest recognitions of humor writing and cartooning in the United States.
The Thurber Prize is presented each year in James Thurber’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Past honorees include Roz Chast, Paul Noth, Alexandra Petri, S.E. Boyd, Steven Rowley, James McBride, Trevor Noah, Dave Barry, David Sedaris, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, and The Onion.
2026 Host John Kenney
Photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan
Fan favorite and New York Times bestselling author John Kenney is back for another round of hilarious roasts and celebratory toasts!
John won the 2014 Thurber Prize for his novel Truth in Advertising and was a 2019 finalist for Love Poems for Married People. He’s published three novels and four collections of humorous poetry and has contributed to The New Yorker since 1999. This is his third time hosting the award show.
About the Thurber Prize for American Humor
The Award Show
2019 Thurber Prize Finalist Sloane Crosley, Finalist John Kenney & Winner Simon Rich
About the Award Show
During this spectacular evening of humor, attendees are entertained with a host of hilarious surprises, including appearances from the finalists/winners.
The award show culminates with the announcement of the winners of the Thurber Prize in Writing and Cartoon Art.
A Vital Fundraiser
Thurber House: Nonprofit Arts Hub, James Thurber Museum & Creative Gathering Place
Year-Round Impact
The Thurber Prize for American Humor award show celebrates humor, writing, and cartoon art on a national scale. It is also a vital fundraiser for Thurber House’s year-round programming.
For over 41 years, Thurber House has been an inclusive, empowering, and joyful place for people to come together, learn from each other, express themselves, and return that positive impact to the world. This is our mission.
Past Honorees
2017 Thurber Prize Winner Trevor Noah with Rosemary Thurber, James Thurber’s Daughter
Past Honorees Include:
Roz Chast, Paul Noth, Alexandra Petri, S.E. Boyd, Steven Rowley, James McBride, Damon Young, Simon Rich, Patricia Lockwood, Trevor Noah, Mike Birbiglia, Dave Barry, Alan Zweibel, David Sedaris, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show, Ian Frazier, and The Onion.
2026 Thurber Prize in Writing Finalists
Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor in Writing finalists in early 2026.
The 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor in Writing semi-finalists are:
Feh by Shalom Auslander
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Love and Hot Chicken by Mary Liza Hartong
The Spamalot Diaries by Eric Idle
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
Tabitha, Get Up by Lee Upton
Magically Black and Other Essays by Jerald Walker
You can read more about the writing semi-finalists here. The finalists will be announced in early 2026.
Judging is still underway for the 2026 Thurber Prize for American Humor in Cartoon Art.
2026 Event Location, Parking, Attire & Accessibility
Location
The event will take place at the Columbus College of Art & Design’s Canzani Center (60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43215).
Parking
Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to the building. Click here for a map (the Canzani Center is building 1).
Attire
The overall vibe for the event will be funky, fun, colorful, and festive. Standard cocktail attire will be completely appropriate, as well as artsy and playful looks, and anything with festive flair. We encourage our guests to express their own individuality.
Accessibility
All event areas have step-free access. Please contact us if you need to reserve wheelchair seating in the auditorium.
Event Schedule
6:00 pm | Private VIP Reception
Doors open at 5:45 pm.
This private reception in the gallery is open to sponsors, host committee members, VIP ticket holders, and special guests only. Attendees will receive two drink tickets per person.
7:15 pm | Award Show
Doors open for general admission at 6:30 pm.
Grab your beverage of choice from the cash bar, sit back, and let us entertain you!
9:00 pm (ish) | After-Party
All attendees are invited to cap off the evening at our celebratory after-party. We’ll have musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and plenty of merriment!
Tickets
General Admission | $60
This ticket includes:
Admission to the award show
Admission to the after-party
The fair market value of this ticket is $30.
VIP Admission | $125
This ticket includes:
Admission to the private VIP reception (with two drink tickets)
Admission to the award show (with reserved seat)
Admission to the after-party
The fair market value of this ticket is $40.
Have questions about the event? Contact us.
Become a Sponsor
Your Thurber Prize sponsorship makes this celebration of excellence in humor possible and powers Thurber House’s year-round programming.
As a sponsor, you’ll meet the Thurber Prize finalists at a lively VIP reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Next, you’ll take your reserved seat for the show, where you’ll laugh (and maybe cry), and cheer on the winners during the live reveal! The good times continue at the after-party in the gallery.
To discuss your perfect sponsorship fit, contact Interim Executive Director Kathy Matthews at kmatthews@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-1177.
Presenting Sponsor: $25,000
Name/logo listed prominently on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, social media, advertisements, online event calendar listings, and media releases
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (12 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (12 tickets)
Opportunity to present winner check or award
Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Custom James Thurber framed print
Complete set of finalist books
The fair market value of this sponsor level is $600.
Writing Award Sponsor: $15,000
Cartoon Art Award Sponsor: $15,000
Name/logo featured on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, and social media
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (10 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (10 tickets)
Opportunity to present winner check or award Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Complete set of finalist books or custom James Thurber framed print
The fair market value of each sponsor level is $460.
VIP Reception Sponsor: $10,000
After-Party Sponsor: $10,000
Name/logo featured on event collateral
Recognition in remarks, on Thurber House website, eblasts, and social media
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (8 tickets)
Premier reserved seats for award show (8 tickets)
Private VIP tour of historic Thurber House
Complete set of finalist books or custom James Thurber framed print
The fair market value of each sponsor level is $380.
Laugh ‘Til You Cry Sponsor: $5,000
Name on event collateral
Recognition on Thurber House website and eblasts
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (6 tickets)
Reserved seats for award show (6 tickets)
VIP tour of Thurber House or James Thurber print
The fair market value of this sponsor level is $240.
Laugh Out Loud Sponsor: $2,500
Name on event collateral
Recognition on Thurber House website and eblasts
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (4 tickets)
Reserved seats for award show (4 tickets)
VIP tour of Thurber House or James Thurber print
The fair market value of this sponsor level is $160.
To discuss your perfect sponsorship fit, contact Interim Executive Director Kathy Matthews at kmatthews@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-1177.
Join the Host Committee
Want to help make the Thurber Prize award show a smashing success?
As a host committee member, you’ll serve as an ambassador for Thurber House, helping promote the Thurber Prize award show and taking on special responsibilities during the event. Host committee members gain access to the VIP reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, reserved seating for the show, admission to the after-party in the gallery, and an exclusive host committee badge to wear throughout the event.
Your generosity provides significant support for Thurber House’s programs and operations. Join us!
Host Committee Membership: $1,000
Name on event collateral
Recognition on Thurber House website and eblasts
VIP reception with finalists/special guests (2 tickets)
Reserved seats for award show (2 tickets)
VIP tour of Thurber House
Special ambassador responsibilities
The fair market value of host committee membership is $80.
Ambassador Responsibilities
Proudly promote the award show to boost excitement, attendance, and sponsorships
Greet VIP reception guests
Chaperone a writing finalist, the cartoon art winner, or another VIP during the pre-event reception and introduce them to guests
Pose guests for the photographer
Direct VIPs from the reception to the show
For questions about the host committee, contact Interim Executive Director Kathy Matthews at kmatthews@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-1177.
2026 Sponsors & Host Committee
List of 2026 Thurber Prize supporters coming soon.
Thank you to our major arts supporters:
Disclaimer:
Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.