The second edition of the Leopold Bloom Art Award

supported by the Maurice Ward Group

The Leopold Bloom Art Award supports progressive contemporary visual artists in Hungary and their presence on the international art scene. In 2013, the award will be granted for the second time as a result of the co-operation between the Ludwig Museum, ACAX | Agency for Contemporary Art Exchange and Ireland’s Maurice Ward Group.

Visual artists based in Hungary can apply for the 10,000 euro award with a proposal for an international exhibition of their artwork (without any resriction regarding medium) to take place in a renowned European art institution (museum, commercial or non-profit gallery) or prestigious international event (biennial, festival) of their choice. The award not only goes to supporting the work of the winning artist, but also helps in the successful realization of the proposed concept of the exhibition. In doing so, we hope to contribute to the more intensive involvement of contemporary Hungarian artists in the international art scene. 

The Award

The name of the award is taken from one of the most influential figures in modern literature – the main character of James Joyce’s Ulysses, who is of Hungarian descent. In line with the primary values of the award and its Irish founder, Leopold Bloom is a symbol of paradigm-shifting art, travel, cosmopolitanism and not least of all Irish-Hungarian connections.

The Leopold Bloom Art Award’s primary aim is to support collaboration between Hungarian artists and prestigious international exhibition spaces, as well as the introduction of artists to the international scene and their career development. As such, with the Award endowed with 10.000 Euro we would like to recognize the work of a contemporary Hungarian visual artist, supporting his/her foray into the international scene through an independent or group exhibition.

At the discretion of the applicant, the award will be divided between the artist’s honorarium and the cost of realizing the proposed exhibition, provided that the artist’s honorarium be a minimum of 4000 and a maximum of 9000 euros.
 
The Application

The submission package must include:
1. A Curriculum vitae, in English
2. A Digital Portfolio, in English
3. A proposal of 2-pages maximum, detailing the international exhibition and presenting the applicant’s artworks, in English. The applicant is requested to introduce briefly the chosen European contemporary art institution, or international contemporary arts event, where they intend to exhibit. The exhibition concept could be in connection either to an individual exhibition or to the applicant’s participation in a group exhibition. In the case of the latter, the applicant should attach the concept for the whole group exhibition.
4. A letter of intention from the selected institution, in which the director or curator confirms that, should the applicant be successful in receiving the award, they will carry out the proposed exhibition by the end of 2014.
5. The budget for the exhibition, in the case of a group exhibition, the budget connected to the applicant’s participation. (The Maurice Ward Group will cover the cost of the international transport, so it is not necessary to include this amount in the budget.)
6. The specification of 3-6 works of art (image, proper checklist with title, year, technique, size, etc.) that the applicant intends to show, if selected to participate in the finalists’ exhibition.
 
Application Submission

The submission deadline is: 30 April, 2013
We will only accept submissions in a digital zip format.

Server information:
ftp://195.228.170.212
User name: leopoldbloom
Password: 2TqqQCmQ

Please, create your own folder when uploading.
For uploading, an FTP Client is necessary.

We cannot accept any submissions that arrive after the deadline.

The Decision

The jury’s decision will primarily be based on the following criteria:
- the submitted portfolio
- the proposed exhibition and the professional reputation of the hosting international institution
- the artworks intended to be shown at the finalists’ exhibition
We will notify those invited to participate in the finalists’ exhibition by the end of July 2013  and the winner will be announced in a ceremony in the autumn of 2013.
 
Conditions of Participation

- Artists based in Hungary can apply; there is no age limit nor application fee to compete for the Award.
- By participating in the competition, applicants acknowledge and accept the conditions of participation.
- Applicants agree to collaborate with the organizers (ACAX, Maurice Ward Group) and to provide all necessary information.
- Applicants will respect the final decision of the jury.
Should the applicant be selected by the jury to participate in the finalists’ exhibition, the artist also agrees that:
- Without any additional financial remuneration, he/she will provide at least 3 of his/her works, detailed in the submission package and chosen by the jury, for the duration of the exhibition. The organizers will be responsible for the insurance of the works for the duration of the exhibition.
- The organizers will be able to use the exhibited works freely and unconditionally for promotional and communications purposes in connection with the Leopold Bloom Art Award, so long as it does not negatively affect the artist’s reputation.
- The winner of the award agrees to implement the exhibition detailed in his/her application.
- The winner of the award agrees that within two months following the closing of his/her exhibition abroad he/she will compile a report of at least two pages and send it to the attention of ACAX.
- A separate agreement will be drawn up with regard to the payment of the Award.
- Applicants accept that the organizers might modify the conditions of participation with reasonable justification.
 
About the Founder and Supporter: The Maurice Ward Group

Established in 1968, The Maurice Ward and Co. Kft. are an expert art handling & transport company which owns the custom-built trucks and modern, secure warehouses in which your art is moved and stored. Their experienced, professional staff use only the latest equipment and proven techniques. They can also draw upon the resources of their global parent company when required.
 
Concept and Execution: ACAX | Agency for Contemporary Art Exchange / Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art

The primary goal of ACAX | Agency for Contemporary Art Exchange is to facilitate, support and strengthen the international presence of the contemporary Hungarian art scene. Through networking and a wide range of programs, ACAX initiates and maintains exchange and continuous professional collaboration between the representatives of the Hungarian and international art communities.
ACAX is an affiliate of the Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art, Budapest

The BloomsDay Art Festival, Szombathely

Before establishing the Leopold Bloom Art Award, which has been realized by the cooperation of ACAX and the Maurice Ward Group, there was a festival and award with the same name. The current award is not a continuation of the previous one; however, we also recognize the importance of BloomsDay and the spirit of the earlier Leopold Bloom Award.
The event series of the BloomsDay Alternative Art Festival started in the first half of the 90s in Szombathely and provided a chance for exhibitions, actions, performances and concerts for several national and foreign artist over the course of fifteen years. The festival organised by Ádám Székely created the so-called "Bloom-ism" as an example of creative freedom and autonomy, which was embodied not only in the production but also in the "Bloom-file," which is published every year, and in the consistently given "Bloom Award."

Contact:

Projects managers: Tijana Stepanović, Petra Csizek
E: leopold.bloom@ludwigmuseum.hu