Reflecting current contemporary creation, the Talents Contemporains competition, launched in 2011, explores the European and international art scenes on the special theme of water. As a result, a highly original collection has been built up, featuring artists who have graduated from renowned art schools as well as atypical self-taught artists.
Over the years, a highly original collection has been built up, reflecting the diversity of artistic practices in drawing, painting, sculpture, video, photography, and installation art.
For the winning artists, the endowment is not only a real financial boost, but also a springboard for their careers, with institutional recognition, a range of communication tools and a chance to share their work with the public.
Each year, up to 1,000 artists from around 100 countries submit their applications. After selection of around thirty finalists by four expert committees, the Grand Jury, chaired by Jean-Noël Jeanneney, chooses a maximum of seven winners.
The annual prize is €160,000. The prizewinners each receive 15,000 euros for the acquisition of their work. A further 50,000 euros is earmarked for the production of works presented in the form of projects. The “Talents Contemporains” competition gives rise to the acquisition of the work, a group exhibition at the Foundation’s art center, a bilingual edition and a video presenting the work of the winners.