Slog

The Henry Art Gallery announced today that it is finally getting in the game of giving awards to deserving regional artists! Seattle Art Museum has the Betty Bowen, Portland Art Museum has the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards, Tacoma Art Museum hosts the Neddys—and now, finally, the Henry Art Gallery will have The Brink Award.

It will be awarded every two years to an artist in Washington, Oregon, or British Columbia (the only sensical regional identity, as I’ve written before) and come with $12,500, a solo exhibition, and an acquisition of work.

This is the first big announcement since the arrival of new director Sylvia Wolf, and it’s great news. The first winner will be announced April 17, 2009. Press release on the jump.

Now the only question is: What will the trophy look like? (Charles, this one is for you.)

The Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington is delighted to announce The Brink, a new award for emerging artists in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. In partnership with long-time Henry Art Gallery benefactors and Seattle art supporters John and Shari Behnke, the Henry will administer a new biennial prize of $12,500 awarded to an individual artist at the beginning stages of a professional career. The recipient will also be given a solo exhibition at the Henry, and a work of his or her art will be acquired for the museum’s permanent collection.

The Brink will be awarded to an artist in Washington, Oregon, or British Columbia whose work shows artistic promise and who appears to be at “the brink” of a promising career. The selection committee will consider artists whose work explores a range of ideas beyond the surface of mainstream culture and demonstrates innovation and high artistic quality. Evidence of some professional achievement is required as a demonstration of the artist’s commitment, but the artist does not need to possess an extensive record of accomplishments (exhibitions, critical reviews, commissions, grants, residencies, etc.). Eligible artists will have earned within the last five years an MFA or equivalent academic degree, or can provide other evidence that demonstrates the beginning of a professional artistic career.

Nominations for The Brink will be accepted from regional arts professionals, including artists, curators, writers, teachers, and arts administrators. Full guidelines for the nomination process and artist eligibility will be available on the Henry website September 24, 2008. Nominations must be received by October 20, 2008.

The 2008-09 selection committee will comprise Henry director Sylvia Wolf and curators Elizabeth Brown and Sara Krajewski; Seattle artist Joe Park; Portland artist Harrell Fletcher; Vancouver’s Contemporary Art Gallery director, Christina Ritchie; and John and Shari Behnke. The selection committee will review materials in early 2009 and conduct studio visits with a short list of finalists during March 2009. The award winner will be announced April 17, 2009. Following discussion with the recipient, the dates of the first Brink award exhibition will be announced. The show will open at the Henry in fall 2009 or later.

This award reflects both the adventuresome collecting interests of John and Shari Behnke and their desire to support artists in the region. In developing the idea of The Brink, they sought a name that would evoke a critical point in an artist’s career, described by the Behnkes as “a crucial moment, the point at which something is likely to begin.” The Behnkes noted, “We hope this award will provide a compelling reason for artists to stay in the region.”

This initiative was proposed as a measure to remind artists that their ongoing presence and their profession are essential to the Pacific Northwest’s dynamic cultural landscape. The Brink complements the Henry Art Gallery’s role as a catalyst for the creation of new work, while simultaneously demonstrating the museum’s commitment to artists working in our region.