New £25,000 arts prize from Genesis Foundation to recognise mentors of artistic talent
Monday, 26 March 2012
The new £25,000 award ─ one of the most generous in the arts sector ─ will be the first and only such prize to recognise individuals who give others the confidence and inspiration to achieve artistic excellence in their chosen arts field.
The Genesis Foundation, the UK based charity established by John Studzinski in 2001, has initiated the prize as part of the celebrations to mark the charity’s first ten years of nurturing and developing emerging talent in the UK, frequently in collaboration with highly respected artistic directors and organisations.
Nominations were solicited from leading figures in the arts world and media to produce a long-list. Before the prize is awarded, the six-shortlisted candidates will present to a high-profile panel of judges on Monday on how they would spend the £25,000 on furthering their work.
The judges are Elyse Dodgson (Royal Court Theatre), David Lan (Young Vic Theatre), David Pountney (Welsh National Opera), Sir Richard Rogers (architect), John Studzinski (Genesis Foundation), Dame Janet Suzman (actress and director), and Dr Paul Thompson (Royal College of Art).
The contenders for the prize are:
- Marc Boothe: Founder and Managing Director of the arts and media Network, B3 Media
- Hamish Dunbar: Founder and Director of Café Oto, which presents experimental music and sound art in a Hackney warehouse
- Tom Morris: Artistic Director of the Bristol Old Vic theatre company
- Nadine Mortimer-Smith: Operatic soprano and Founder Director of Opera in Colour
- Joe Scotland: Director of Studio Voltaire, which provides affordable studios and an arts and education programme in Clapham
- Polly Staple: Director of the Chisenhale Gallery, a publically funded contemporary art gallery in Bow, East London
John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Foundation, says:
“The six diverse finalists for the inaugural Genesis Prize exemplify the creative, entrepreneurial and nurturing spirit that powers the Genesis Foundation. Since the Foundation came into being in 2001, it has been both thrilling and deeply satisfying to see so many Genesis artists fulfilling their potential and achieving broader recognition. By launching this prize we extended the 10th anniversary celebrations which last year gave rise to an evening dedicated to young performers at the Royal Court Theatre and commissions for three new choral works which were performed by Harry Christophers and The Sixteen. We look forward to many years of the Genesis Prize.”
The prize will be awarded every two years.