First National Withdraws from the Vita Art Prize
The prestigious FNB Vita Art Prize is no more. According to Vicki Trehaeven,
Business Unit Head: FNB Brand Communication Services, "From late 2001 FNB
had been looking to consolidate its myriad cultural activities, under the
auspices of Vita, into a few strategic focuses. In analysing the properties
we had, we identified competitive space in the FNB Dance Umbrella, FNB Craft
Now Exhibition, the FNB/Wits and FNB/UND Shakespeare Festivals and our
involvement at the KKNK."
Since its inception the FNB Vita Art Prize has played a crucial role in
recognising the work of maturing artists who have either graduated through
or outgrown the other award schemes available in this country. The calibre
of the recent winners is indicative of this, Jo Ractliffe winning in 1999,
Terry Kurgan in 2000, Moshekwa Langa in 2001 and Alan Alborough winning what
would appear to have been the final award, in 2002.
Writing about the 2002 FNB Vita Art Prize, former ArtThrob and current Art
South Africa editor Sophie Perryer commented last year: "It can be argued
that the FNB Vita has established its profile and reputation precisely
because it has its finger on the pulse of contemporary art-making." While
not as lucrative as Absa's L'Atelier, the FNB Vita Art Prize was always held
in high regard by both participants and observers alike. For many it marked
a highpoint on the contemporary art calendar.
Commenting further on FNB's decision, Vicki Trehaeven said: �Retiring from
the Art Prize and Theatre Awards has not meant that FNB is less financially
committed to the Arts, rather we are spending more on the projects we have
elected to retain." For artists who might have hoped to enter the 2003 round
of the prize, it would appear that for all intents and purposes the esteemed
art prize is now defunct - unless an alternative corporate sponsor can save
the day.
