Meet the Jury: the Visionary 010 Award

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The Visionary 010 Award recognizes a person considered a visionary in Rotterdam, who has contributed to or paved the way for a better arts climate and cultural sector in the city for at least five years. The award was created with the support of Droom en Daad, and candidates are nominated by a group of approximately 15 art professionals, policymakers, and cultural producers active in the Rotterdam art field.

The prize carries €25,000, acknowledging the vital role of cultural leaders in shaping the city’s creative life and supporting a vibrant, sustainable cultural ecosystem.

Other Award Categories

In addition to the Visionary 010 Award, The MELLYs include two other categories, each also carrying a prize of €25,000:

Maker Behind the Maker Award

Honoring the craftspeople, fabricators, and producers whose skills make artistic work possible.

Behind the Lens Award (formerly the Berry Koedam Award)

Recognizing photographers and documenters who expand how we see and remember art.

Meet the Jury: Visionary 010 Award

The jury for the Visionary 010 Award brings together individuals with extensive experience in Rotterdam’s cultural and artistic landscape, ensuring the award honors those who have demonstrated long-term vision and leadership in shaping the city’s cultural sector.

Saskia van Stein

Saskia van Stein is an educator, moderator, curator and holds the position of artistic and managing Director of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR). Van Stein also holds the position as co - Head of Department, MA The Critical Inquiry Lab at the Design Academy, Eindhoven. Prior to this, she was artistic and managing Director at Bureau Europa, platform for architecture and design, Maastricht, 2013–2019.

Van Stein’s curatorial practice started at the Netherlands Architecture Institute (now Nieuwe Instituut) in Rotterdam, 2002–2012, where her first steps were made by curating exhibitions and public events on the intersection of architecture culture, political and human sciences, design and fine arts. Over the span of her career, her deep-seated interest in the discourse surrounding the politics of representation panned out into experimentation with different exhibition formats, modes of display and methods of knowledge production, as well as moderating and participating in numerous discursive events. She has often spearheaded topics and themes, in and outside of the confined walls of institutional realms, questioning cultural production and the designed environment itself. Van Stein often lectures, moderators debates, takes part in juries and has been chair on boards of many cultural institutions, both within The Netherlands as in the international (cultural) realm.

Aruna Vermeulen

Aruna Vermeulen is not only a dancer but also co-founder and director of the Hiphophuis, the leading center for hip-hop culture. She discovered breakdancing while studying social history at Erasmus University. It was love at first sight.

In her early years as a B-girl, Aruna discovered the importance of originality, self-confidence, and artistic expression. While traveling the world for performances, battles, and workshops, she became increasingly connected to these core values of hip-hop culture. These experiences shaped her drive and strengthened her dedication to hip-hop.

The Hiphophuis—Aruna's second home—has a powerful mission: to stimulate creative, personal, and communal growth through hip hop. Together with a team of community builders, teachers, and artists, the passion for hip hop is shared.

The Hiphophuis offers young people of all ages the opportunity to develop their talents in the fields of art, music, and dance. With a wide range of programs and events, it attracts 50,000 people annually. For 23 years, its impact has continued to grow. Aruna Vermeulen has received various cultural awards, including the 2021 Visionary Award from the Melly Art Institute.

Joel Ferdinandus

In his current role at Rotterdam Partners, he directs programs that connect residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs with the city in innovative ways. With a proven track record in realizing initiatives that strengthen hospitality, culture, and entrepreneurship, he translates vision into concrete results and contributes to a dynamic, future-oriented Rotterdam.

An Evening of Recognition, Dining, and Celebration

The MELLYs combines an awards ceremony with a seated three-course dinner designed as a shared experience. The program will be moderated by Evita de Roode, and includes a live performance by donna Kukama as well as a dancefloor takeover by DJs Jollyfish. Scenography is by Loui Meeuwissen.

A Vital Fundraiser for Future Programming

Beyond celebration, The MELLYs serves as a vital fundraiser for Kunstinstituut Melly. Proceeds from the evening will directly support the institution’s 2026 programming, including a major retrospective of Moshekwa Langa.

Meet the Nominees

The nominees for the Visionary 010 Award are Rotterdam’s cultural leaders whose long-term dedication, vision, and creativity have shaped the city’s arts landscape. They are recognized for strengthening the arts ecosystem, fostering innovation, and supporting artistic initiatives over many years.

Practical Information

Date: Thursday, 27 November 2025
Location: Rotterdam
Tables: Available for 10, 6, or 4 guests; individual seats also available
Information & Reservations: [email protected]