Max Mara Art Prize for Women, in collaboration with Whitechapel Gallery
The Prize
Now in its 9th edition, the Max Mara Art Prize for Women is a prestigious biennial award for emergent female-identifying artists, originated in 2005 from a collaboration between Max Mara Fashion Group and Whitechapel Gallery. Collezione Maramotti joined as an additional partner in 2007.
It is the only visual art prize of its kind for UK based emerging women-identifying artists with the aim to promote and nurture them at a crucial stage in their careers, through increased visibility, and the resources to develop an ambitious new work by offering essential time, space, creative and professional support. The prize is open to women-identifying artists of any age, living and working in the United Kingdom, who have not previously had a major solo survey exhibition. For each edition a jury, comprising a gallerist, critic, artist and collector, and chaired by the Whitechapel Gallery Director, submits a longlist of women-identifying artists, from which a final shortlist of five is agreed. The winner, selected on the strength of their proposal for the prize, is awarded a six-month Italian residency, organised by Collezione Maramotti, as well as a dedicated exhibition. The residency is uniquely tailored to fit the particular needs and focus of the artist and their winning proposal. Crucially it provides the artist with resources and space to realise a new work, which then forms the basis of a major solo exhibition presented at the Whitechapel Gallery, London and Collezione Maramotti, Reggio Emilia, Italy. Collezione Maramotti then acquires the commission for their world-class art collection, ensuring that the artist is supported and acknowledged beyond the two-year prize cycle.
The Max Mara Art Prize for Women is both distinct and exceptional in recognising and supporting the creative process and was awarded the British Council Arts & Business International Award in 2007.
