Brenda Tran

2026 Early-Career Research + Development Grantee | $2,500

Vietnamese American Nail Salons: From Refugee Camps to Greater Minnesota

Brenda will research the history and current landscape of Vietnamese-owned nail salons in the United States, with emphasis on Minnesota. She will conduct and record interviews with Vietnamese American nail technicians and their families, and supplement her findings with information from research papers, news articles, and films. The end goal is to create a temporary multimedia exhibition on Vietnamese-owned nail salons in 2026. brendattran.com

Forecast has been offering early-career artist grants supported by Jerome Foundation since 1989. In addition to funding, Forecast is dedicated to providing professional development and learning opportunities designed to assist emerging artists as they experiment/ hone their practices, and cultivate careers in the field. Forecast mid- and early-career grants are designed to support independent projects, leadership development, professional development, risk-taking, multidisciplinary approaches, and collaborative problem-solving in the field of public art.