Together with the already established KVOST scholarship – an artist in residency in Berlin followed by a solo exhibition at KVOST – the introduction of the Claus Michaletz Prize enables further, sustainable support for the artists.
Image above: courtesy of KVOST – front – 2022
In memory of the publisher and founder of the Secco Pontanova Foundation, Claus Michaletz, a prize of 10,000 euros will be awarded to artists from Eastern Europe. The prize is awarded once a year and is linked to the KVOST scholarship. The full amount of the prize money is at the free disposal of the scholarship holders.
2022 Claus Michaletz Prize goes to the Ukrainian artist Olena Pronkina, this year’s KVOST scholarship holder. The award ceremony will take place during her exhibition opening at KVOST on 14 September 2022 at 7 pm.
Claus Michaletz and the Secco Pontanova Foundation
In 2003, the publisher Claus Michaletz founded the Secco Pontanova Foundation, whose aim is to promote science, art and culture. The focus is on exchange between Germany and the Eastern European states as well as the Baltic and South-Eastern European states.
The aim of the foundation is to intensify cultural transfer and strengthen ties between these countries. Building bridges that enable the individual states to explore the common roots and values of a supranational knowledge and cultural community – in the language of art that unites people.
The “Claus Michaletz Prize for Eastern European Art” supports artists from Eastern Europe in memory of the generous, free-spirited founder Claus Michaletz.
The Claus Michaletz Prize was first awarded to Jānis Šneiders at the POSITIONS Berlin Art Fair in 2020, followed by Laura Pold in 2021.
Claus Michaletz
Claus Michaletz was born in 1933 in the Upper Silesian town of Gleiwitz (now Gliwice, Poland) and grew up in Breslau until 1945. After graduating from high school in West Germany, he completed a bookseller’s apprenticeship at the Herder Verlag in Freiburg. He then studied economics and social sciences.
During and after his studies, Michaletz worked at Herder Verlag in Freiburg, most recently as commercial director. Later he moved to the scientific publishing house Springer in Berlin as publishing director, where he became managing partner.
In 2003, he founded the Secco Pontanova Foundation, which has been continued in his spirit since his death in 2018 under the chairmanship of Dr Silke Manske, who has a long-standing friendship with the founder.
WHEN?
Award ceremony: Mittwoch, 14.09.2022, 19 Uhr
WHERE?
KVOST, Leipziger Straße 47 / Entrance Jerusalemer Straße, 10117 Berlin-Mitte
