EXIM Hungary announces the winners of the first culture without borders scholarship competition
EXIM Hungary has for the first time awarded the winners of the scholarship competition launched under its Culture without Borders Programme. At the EXIM Awards gala, young contemporary Hungarian artists were honoured in the categories of fine arts and classical music, in addition to Hungarian financial institutions, in an unusual but – as anticipitated – tradition-making way. Among the applications submitted, first prize was awarded to Balázs Csizik, a visual artist from the Ani Molnár Gallery, and the pianist-cellist duo Domonkos Csabay and Domonkos Hartmann. The scholarship competition was organised under the professional auspices of the Art is Business Association with the aim of facilititating the international introduction of visual artists and chamber music groups.
EXIM Hungary, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has once again organised the EXIM Awards, where its partners are honoured every year. This year, for the first time, art also played a prominent role at the event, as the winners of the EXIM Hungary Culture Without Borders scholarship competition were also awarded.
The competition, organised under the auspices of the Art is Business Association, was open to entries in the categories of fine art and classical music. The aim of the niche arts scholarship is to help artists launch their international careers, with a particular focus on giving more young talent the opportunity to debut at international exhibitions, concert tours and festivals. The applications were judged by a jury of selected professionals, including Kornél Kisgergely, CEO of EXIM Hungary, Krisztina Szipőcs, Deputy Director of the Ludwig Museum and Linda Bérczi, owner of The Space Gallery, for fine arts, and Gergely Dubóczky, conductor, Júlia Pusker, violinist and Zoltán Fejérvári, pianist, for music.
The first prize in the fine arts category was awarded to the artist Balázs Csizik from the Molnár Ani Gallery, whose works were also on display at the pop-up exhibition at the gala. His works, created in a mixed technique, combine the visuality of abstract photography with the formal world of modern architecture in the relation between man and built space. A recurring element in his work is the tension between the man-made artificial world and nature.
The winner of the Classical Music category was the pianist-cellist duo, Domonkos Csabay and Domonkos Hartmann, who gave a short concert during the event. The artists first met through the Annie Fischer Performing Arts Scholarship, and their professional collaboration has been unbroken ever since. In their current experimental formation, they mix a variety of styles, combining classical, repetitive and ambient elements.
Winners of the scholarship competition can use the grant to build their international careers and bulid important networking contacts in their profession.
As part of the sponsorship and donation activities of EXIM Hungary, we place special emphasis on supporting Hungarian contemporary artists and enhancing their international visibility. Our Culture Without Borders Programme was launched in the spirit of our long-term commitment to supporting artists and creating social value, and the success of our first scholarship competition is demonstrated by the high number of applicants and the quality of the applications. I would like to congratulate the winners and wish them every success in embarking on their international careers.
– said Kornél Kisgergely, CEO of EXIM Hungary.
We have been closely following the links between the Hungarian corporate and art scene for several years, and rarely do we come across such a credible and value-based sponsorship as the scholarship programme of EXIM Hungary. The company is generously supporting young artists in two areas that are in line with the company’s strategic goals, while at the same time allowing Hungarian talents to freely practice their art and compete on the international stage.
– said Máté András Balogh, CEO of Art is Business Association.
EXIM Hungary sees strengthening its role in social value creation as a key part of its mission, in addition to developing the economy. It considers it important to conduct its activities in an environmentally and socially responsible and sustainable manner and to set an example in the financing ecosystem. To this end, it actively supports initiatives that contribute to social development in the fields of sport, culture, equal opportunities and sustainability.