Art
Sobey Art Award removes age limit to combat challenges of the pandemic – CBC.ca
For the second year in a row, Canada’s pre-eminent arts award has changed to support artists struggling through museum closures and restrictions against public gathering.
Nearly 20 years after its inception, Sobey Art Award administrators have removed age limits in an attempt to reflect the community’s desires and help artists get through the continuing pandemic.
The Sobey Art Award was launched in 2002 as a way to boost the profile of rising artists on the Canadian contemporary art sphere. The honour includes a $100,000 prize, and since its inception it has only been given to artists under the age of 40.
On Wednesday, organizers announced that artists of all ages would be eligible for the prize.
WATCH | Sobey Art Award alters eligibility requirements:
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“It’s been a very hard time for artists across the country,” Sasha Suda, director and CEO of the National Gallery of Canada — which helps administrate the award — said in an announcement.
“The continuing pandemic has been a huge challenge, and we want Canadian artists to know we are listening.”
Organizers also announced that prizes given to long-listed artists would increase from $2,000 to $10,000, increasing the total award money given out from $240,000 to $400,000.
COVID-19 inspired changes
The change comes after organizers decided to share the award between its 2020 long list, giving each artist $25,000 — the amount usually given to the four non-winning short list members.
The final gala, which is intended to showcase the five short listed artists, was also cancelled.
At the time, Suda said the change was made to help artists struggling through the pandemic, and “the short and long-term preservation of Canada’s contemporary art ecosystem in the face of the unknown.”
Following that decision, dozens of artists sent an open letter thanking the foundation, as well as asking organizers to make the change permanent, due to “heightened precarity and scarcity coming down the line.”
“We see the economic forecasts and we know that the arts will be hit hard,” the artists wrote.
Signatories also asked for the age limitation to be lifted, as systemic barriers often keep artists from creating work or gaining recognition until later in life.
Push to remove age limits
The Sobey Art Award is not the first art prize to change who is eligible.
In 2017, The U.K.’s Turner Prize removed its age limit of 50 to recognize “that artists can experience a breakthrough in their work at any age.”
And early this year, organizers for the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for emerging writers announced they would do away with age limits on their two $10,000 awards for poetry and short fiction.
“We have received important feedback about how some are simply unable to begin their writing careers before the age of 35,” organizers wrote in a statement.
“We recognize that an age restriction is unfair to marginalized writers, especially those from LGBTQ2IS and BIPOC communities.”
In their own statement, organizers said the intent of the Sobey Art Award has not changed. It will continues to function as an aid for emerging artists, and “is not meant to be a lifetime achievement award.”
The deadline for nominations was also extended as part of the announcement, and will be open until Friday, March 19.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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