The BelgianArtPrize is a biennial Award for Contemporary Art open to Belgian and international artists residing in Belgium and all art disciplines.
The non-profit association “La Jeune Peinture Belge – De Jonge Belgische Schilderkunst”, was created to support artists living or working in Belgium. This in the belief that art represents what is essential in the thought process about the world in which we live.
The conviction to organize a prize in Belgium that supports contemporary art is not new to the non-profit organization, because this organization has been doing so for 70 years. The last two editions in 2019 and 2020 did not go smoothly, but the organization took the time to listen, weigh up, consult and keep a finger on the pulse to adjust the prize in such a way that it fits the current zeitgeist.
This “collective process” with fascinating and also difficult discussions has once again proved that art is a wonderful means of effecting change. These dialogues have resulted in innovation, without compromising the initial DNA of the BelgianArtPrize: the dream to continue to support the arts with heart and soul!
Over the last 60 years, the organisation has made shifts in the Prize’s objectifs as to respond to the changing context of the contemporary art world ; e.g. the number of awards and their denomination has changed over the years (Young Painters Award, Young Belgian Art Prize).
In 2017, under the new name “BelgianArtPrize”, the Prize aims at emphasizing the artistic relevance, innovative insights, diverse artistic practice and distinctive visual language developed by an artist at a specific time and within a specific context. The association decided to introduce some substantial changes in the selection procedure and criteria and to abolish the age limit and the open call; all Belgian artists or non-Belgian artists who have lived in Belgium for one year or more, irrespective of their age, can be nominated by a select panel made up of art professionals, curators, art critics and historians and collectors. Contemporary art institutions in Belgium were invited in 2021 to cast a preferential vote and nominated one artist automatically considered for the shortlist. This panel of nominators combines expertise with a profound knowledge of the Belgian and international art scene and a wide diversity of points of view.
In 2021, the membres of the Jury were not asked to select 4 finalists, but to elect the winner of the BelgianArtPrize.
The Crowet family, who first launched the Prize and still is its invaluable patron, continues to maintain close links through the Crowet Prize (€ 20,000).