Initiated by ARTSociates - headed by art aficionado and mathematician working in the field of water waves, Dr. Andonowati, the awards aspire to stimulate the development of contemporary visual arts in Indonesia, and ultimately find a place on the international art map.

BaCAA sets itself apart from other awards, not only by rewarding its first prizewinner with Rp 100 million, but also in a host of other features, like allocating residencies and art trips in Europe or Asia to the three next best prizewinners, or giving artists the opportunity to have their works exhibited at Lawangwangi.

The 25 best works will also be auctioned in a special Sotheby's auction - with part of the proceeds from the sales of works allocated to an endowment fund for the next award.

Perhaps most noteworthy is the composition of jury members, which moves away from the old model of curators-only and now includes two curators, two collectors, two artists and one art journalist, all relatively well known to the art society and beyond.

ARTSociates, an organization set up by Andonowati, who also leads the Lawangwangi Science and Art Estate in Bandung, will provide the first award, to be presented in January 2011.

Although the award will initially be given to emerging Indonesian artists, international artists are expected to be included later on, enabling Indonesian artists to compete on an international level.

The award will be strictly limited to Indonesian artists residing in Indonesia in its first year, but will broaden its scope to include artists from the region in its second year, and go international in its third year.

Indonesian artists or artist groups residing in Indonesia, actively pursuing a career as visual artists, less than 40 years old by January 2011, with records of at least three exhibitions in the past three years in three good venues, are eligible to participate in the 2011 Award.

There will be no special theme, but judges will look out for a combination of extraordinary ideas and excellent execution in artworks, which can be paintings, sculptures, photographs, video works, installations and mixed media works.

The combined expertise of the jury members is expected to add a major quality to the final selection of art works. Curators Hendro Wiyanto and Rifky Effendy are known for their involvement in various creative curatorials; Agus Suwage is an artist of the most varied mediums and genres of contemporary art who has gained international acclaim, while Mella Jaarsma is widely known for her inventive works of art and her role in the development of alternative art, as well as her exemplary gallery management in Indonesia; collector Syakieb Sungkar and German-educated Wiyu Wahono are collectors who have brought a wind of change into the world of collecting in Indonesia, while Carla Bianpoen is an internationally known contemporary art journalist.

For further details on requirements and dates of submission, etc. please visit the website: artsociates.com/BaCAA

BaCAA c/o ArtSociates Lawangwangi

Jl. Dago Giri 99, Warung Caringin, Mekarwangi, Bandung, 40391, Indonesia
Phone. +62 22 250 4065,
Fax. +62 22 250 4105
email: BaCAA@artsociates.com

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