In France in 1663, during the reign of Louis XIV,
the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture instituted the Prix de Rome, an art competition award that offered
the winning artist a stay of several years at the Palazzo
Mancini, in Rome, at the expense of the king.
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A view of
Gramercy Park, in New York City,
viewed from the National Arts Club.
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The Palazzo Mancini, in Rome.
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The prize
afforded an artist of exceptional promise the opportunity to reside in an
important cultural metropolis and refine and expand his professional, artistic,
and scholarly aptitudes. By instituting this award, the stewards of French
culture were tactically recognizing and seeking to address a significant
challenge: how to provide for the continuing support and education of artists
and secure the continuance of the visual arts for future generations.
What was true then remains true today. Maintaining
a viable and productive art practice is enormously challenging. Given the
pressures of self-support and scarcity of resources, it is understandable why
so many talented and well-intentioned artists cease working.
American
Artist, currently celebrating its 75th year, enjoys a long
history of supporting artists with quality instructional content, special
educational events, and by recognizing and promoting artistic excellence
through artist contests and juried art competitions. For 2012, the magazine has expanded its
art contests and awards program to include exhibition opportunities. Most
recently, it has partnered with the National Arts Club (NAC) to grant a studio
residency in the club's historic Tilden Mansion, in New York City.
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| The dining room of the NAC. |
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A NAC studio. |
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Like its historical antecedents, the NAC residency fellowship
will allow an artist to come to an important cultural mecca to study and work with
institutional support. Dianne Bernhard, the club's president, observes, "In
addition to the provision of a living and working space, visiting artist critiques, and
a concluding exhibition, the winner is provided the full benefits afforded our
prestigious membership. He or she can participate in our rich cultural programming,
make use of our spacious and elegant facilities, and associate with our esteemed
resident artists and member patrons. And of course, there is all this great
city has to offer. Our hope is that this residency will provide a worthy artist
with a unique and priceless opportunity and the support the artist needs to
further develop his or her innate talent and thereby contribute to the legacy
of the club and of our greater culture."
Publications such as American Artist and institutions such as the NAC cannot eradicate
the pressures artists face or singlehandedly help them overcome the obstacles
that impede production, but this fellowship is one more step in the right
direction. "Our culture needs artists," Bernhard says. "We must help support
them--particularly those young and promising talents who will lead the way for
the next generation." American Artist
is honored to be partnering with the NAC in this important offering. Enter here!
--Michael
Michael Gormley is the editorial director of American Artist magazine.