If you’ve never heard of TED or seen their fantastic series of lectures (you can catch em on their YouTube), they’re often regarded as a sort of ‘genius class,’ whose talks are “inspired by the world’s leading thinkers and doers.”

On top of the prize money, TED winners are asked to make "one wish big enough to change the world."

Other such winners like 2007 winner Bill Clinton, wished for people "to help create a better future for Rwanda by assisting my foundation, in partnership with the Rwandan Government, to build a sustainable, high quality rural health system for the whole country."

Considering JR’s photography already often explores worldwide slums, giving voice and beauty to impoverished areas and people, it will be exciting to see what he does with his money and his wish.

JR is currently working on his upcoming exhibit in Shanghai, but reportedly told The New York Times that his wish and prize money "would undoubtedly involve his kind of guerrilla art."

Congrats JR, and thanks for doing what you do, just the way you do it.

Read one of our exclusive online interviews with JR right here.

More on JR from his website, http://jr-art.net

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