And the nominees are...

M is hosting the 2022 the Young Art Critics Awards ceremony

December 8, 2022

The Young Art Critic Prize will be handed out at M Leuven on Thursday 15 December. This is an award for young critics and essayists writing about contemporary visual art in the Dutch-language press.

The Prize

"M thinks it is important to support young talent and invest in the future of quality art criticism and journalism," says Denise Vandevoort, alderman for culture and chair of M's Board. "The Young Art Critic Prize is specifically aimed at encouraging a new generation of reviewers and essayists. On 15 December, we will welcome the nominees to M with open arms."

Valerie Verhack, curator and head of service for Contemporary Art, adds: "The prize is given to writers 35 years old or younger. "There are three categories. The winners in the Essay and Review categories will each receive 3,000 euro, as well as a personal mentor who for a year will help them with the writing of new reviews. They are also given the opportunity to publish pieces with the media partners of the prize."

"There is also an incentive prize in a third category: Innovative art criticism practices. This refers to new digital, experimental or unusual (storytelling) methods such as podcasts. The prize awards writers or initiatives that make an innovative contribution to reflections on art in the Dutch language. The winner in this category will receive 1,500 euro."

The nominees in the Essay category are Lara den Hartog Jager, Loren Snel and Lena van Tijen. For the Review category, they are Zoë Dankert, Laura Herman and Emma van Meyeren. Finally, in the Innovative Art Critical Practices category, the nominees are Zoë Dankert and Alix de Massiac.

Jury and Promoters

The jury is chaired by Grâce Ndjako (philosopher, writer, translator and coordinator of De Nieuwe Garde). The other members are Bas Blaasse (writer and editor HART), Zeynep Kubat (writer, curator and editor rekto:verso), Jorne Vriens (writer and lecturer at Reinwardt Academie and winner of the 2018 Young Art Criticism Prize) and Joost de Vries (writer and deputy editor De Groene Amsterdammer).

The award is an initiative by M Leuven, Mondriaan Fund, de Appel, Kunstinstituut Melly, Stedelijk Museum, Van Abbemuseum, Vlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond, Mu.ZEE and Z33 Huis voor Actuele Kunst, Design & Architectuur.

Practical info

The award ceremony will take place on Thursday 15 December at M Leuven. Doors open at 17:30 and the ceremony itself will start at 18:00. This is then followed by an reception until around 20:30. There will also be an online publication presented at the ceremony that includes all the nominated pieces. You can attend the ceremony by sending an email to [email protected] stating 'Reservation ceremony award for the Young Art Criticism Prize 2022'.

More information? Email to [email protected]