The Awards
The Edward Steichen Award Luxembourg is a biennial incentive supporting emerging European talents in the field of contemporary art. It was initiated to create an opportunity for young practitioners to expand their horizon, as well as to contribute to establishing networks between international artistic communities. A particular emphasis is put on links between the art communities of Luxembourg and New York, where Edward Steichen gained artistic prominence.
There are two categories to the Award, each consisting of an artists' residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP) in Brooklyn, NY, a renowned residency-based contemporary art center hosting artists and curators from all around the world. The Edward Steichen Award European Resident has been designed for European artists living and working in Luxembourg and a greater geographical region around Luxembourg. A second prize, the Edward Steichen Luxembourg Resident in New York, was added in 2011 specifically for artists of Luxembourg origin or artists living and working in Luxembourg. Since 2019, the ‘Luxembourg Resident’ is entirely funded by our partner, fonds start-up de l’Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte as part of their ongoing efforts to promote Luxembourg artists abroad.
The laureate of the Edward Steichen Award European Resident is hosted for a six months residency in New York City, at ISCP, while the Edward Steichen Luxembourg Resident in New York is granted a four months residency at the same facility. At ISCP, each artist is provided with a private studio space. Moreover, the prize includes a stipend of 4.000 USD a month to cover housing, living and travel expenses for each awardee.
While in the program, all residents are invited to participate in a number of activities in- and outside ISCP including the four core program activities: visiting critics, field trips, salons and open studios.
The Award is open to young practitioners in the field of visual arts, between 25 and 35 years of age.
2019 Ceremony
HRH the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (middle) with Awardees Mary-Audrey Ramirez (right) and Nora Wagner (left) © CNA/ESAL/Romain Girtgen
Selection Procedure
Candidates are shortlisted by Award nominators coming from museums, universities, art publishers and cultural institutions specialized in contemporary art. The Nominators are from Luxembourg and the surrounding Greater Region. Each of them selects up to five candidates who then will be submitted to an international jury composed of three members.
The members of the jury are selected amongst the ranks of renowned art historians, curators, critics, or gallerists. Following the general aim of creating cross-cultural links, the jury comprises one member from a US cultural institution, one from Luxembourg or the Greater Region and one from another European country. Since 2017, a representative of the fonds stART-up Oeuvre nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte is part of the jury to help designating the Edward Steichen Luxembourg Resident in New York laureate.
