The cultural force is infused with fresh ideas, viewpoints, and vitality from up-and-coming artists and cultural practitioners. Through the creation of safe spaces and freedom of expression, they play a crucial role in establishing new norms, encouraging collaboration during times of community crisis, and advocating for just and equitable ways of being. The Seed Award seeks to encourage this process because up-and-coming artists should have the opportunity to try new things and gain momentum in their work.
Every year, 100 up-and-coming artists who operate in environments where cultural expression is under threat receive the Prince Claus Fund’s Seed Award. In order to inspire a new generation of changemakers, the Seed Award aims to provide up-and-coming artists with the opportunity to expand their practice and interests. A grant of €5,000 will be given to each Seed Award winner so they can invest in growing their artistic and cultural practice as they see fit. Since the Seed Award is a trust-based grant, the recipients are free to choose how best to use the funds to further their cultural and artistic growth. This could entail investing in materials, fostering relationships and investigating fresh viewpoints, or just taking some time to experiment and concentrate on their work without worrying about money. The Seed Award provides assistance to gifted and active up-and-coming artists and cultural professionals who are dedicated to enhancing their environments and communities via politically and socially conscious endeavors. We are especially interested in helping people who have a creative, grounded art practice that is inclusive in its execution, scope, and methodology. Individuals who are in the early and exploratory stages of their career, within the first one to five years of their professional career (excluding study years), and who have established an inventive and captivating artistic or cultural practice that tackles significant social and political issues in their local context are encouraged to apply.The application deadline is January 21, 2025, at 17:00 Amsterdam time. For more information and to apply, go to: https://princeclausfund.nl/awards-and-programmes/seed-award/how-to-apply-and-selection-process.
