Awards Presentation: Celebrating our Ecosystem

In this program, Rotterdam writer Ernest van der Kwast introduces the laureates of the first edition of a new awards program focused on the cultural ecosystem:

The Maker achter de Maker Award

Honoring a creator whose impeccable craftsmanship and supportive collaboration has been indispensable for a visual artist to best materialize their work for the public’s enjoyment.
Laureate: Charly van Rest

The Berry Koedam Award

Honoring a creator whose visual documentation of artworks and exhibitions, art events and artistic communities in the Netherlands have captured a sense of our times.
Laureate: Dustin Thierry

The Visionary Award

Honoring a creator whose work advances and paves the way towards an improved artistic environment and cultural sector in Rotterdam.
Laureate: Aruna Vermeulen

In 2020, Kunstinstituut Melly celebrated its 30th anniversary by launching these awards, which recognize people whose image-making, craft, and advocacy has been central to the creation, presentation, and appreciation of contemporary art. These awards are supported by the Mondriaan Fund, ramfoundation, and Stichting Droom en Daad.

Considering the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic and the RIVM safety measures in place, the awards presentation will be an online program, which will be staged at Kunstinstituut Melly, from where it will be live-streamed. The program also welcomes the nominators, juries, and supporters of these awards.

Additionally, this event marks the start of the second edition of this awards program, which involves one open call, two nomination processes, and the selection of laureates by an independent jury. Details published shortly.