News item | 26-09-2023 | 11:00
The Johannes Vermeer Prize 2023 has been awarded to mezzo-soprano Tania Kross. The jury, chaired by Marise Voskens, nominated her unanimously. Kross receives the prize because of her leading international singing career and the innovative way in which she makes opera widely accessible and appeals to, connects and inspires a diverse audience. The Dutch State Prize for the Arts, established by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, will be presented on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam by State Secretary Uslu (Culture and Media).
Allure
In its considerations, the independent jury expressly took into account the exceptional artistic qualities of the laureate, as well as the oeuvre already built up, the further development and the social dimension. Winner Tania Kross has an impressive international career in the field of opera and singing. Over the past twenty-five years she has performed starring roles in numerous productions at major opera houses and concert halls at home and abroad. Kross received several music awards, including the Edison Audience Award, and made history with the production of the very first opera in Papiamentu Katibu di Shon.
Innovative and accessible
The jury is impressed by the way in which Kross practices her profession and the innovative way in which she builds bridges and connects. With her artistic qualities and love for opera music, she knows how to move and inspire time and time again. Through her professionalism and infectious enthusiasm, she opens up an art form that seemed inaccessible to a large and contemporary audience. As a passionate ambassador for opera music and, among other things, the classical repertoire, she shares her expertise and supports young talent. The jury appreciates her great social involvement and the connecting way in which she advocates music education.
To see
A presentation about the work of the prize winner will be shown in the exhibition window of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The exhibition space is located directly next to the entrance of the ministry at Rijnstraat 50 in The Hague and is freely accessible. The presentation can be seen from November 20, 2023 to mid-March 2024.
About the price
The Johannes Vermeer Prize is the Dutch state prize for the arts and consists of 100,000 euros. The winner can spend the amount on a special project within their own field of work. The government established the prestigious award in 2008 to honor and encourage exceptional artistic talent. The organization of the prize is in the hands of the six national culture funds, with the Mondriaan Fund as secretary. It can be awarded to artists from all artistic disciplines working and/or living in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Previous winners include Arnon Grunberg, Natasja Kensmil, Rineke Dijkstra, Ivo van Hove, Janine Jansen, Iris van Herpen, Steve McQueen, Michel van der Aa, Irma Boom, Rem Koolhaas, Marlene Dumas, Erwin Olaf, Alex van Warmerdam and Pierre Audi.
This year the jury consists of Marise Voskens (chairman), Margot Dijkgraaf, Afaina de Jong, Hicham Khalidi and Bas Kosters.