In September 2012, Ms Luckana Kunavichayanont, Director of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and Ms Hilde Teerlinck, Presedent of Han Nefkens Foundation signed an agreement on this award to further promote contemporary art in Asia by giving out ‘The Han Nefkens Foundation - BACC Award for Contemporary Art’ to one artist out of thirty nominated artists proposed by ten international scouts. The award winner will be judged by five juries, including Mr. Han Nefkens (Founder of Han Nefkens Foundation), Ms Hilde Teerlinck (President of Han Nefkens Foundation), Ms Luckana Kunavichayanont (Director of BACC), Mr. Feng Boyi (Chinese independent curator, co-curator of Guangzhou Triennial 2002), and Ms. Yuko Hasegawa (Chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo).
Artists in selection are under the age of 40 years old which have artistic practice as Asian orientated and be able to stay in Bangkok in period of 2 - 3 months as artist in residence in Bangkok. Nominees are recognised in their artistic community but have not been established by internationally known art institution. The winner will receive 3,000 USD as the artist fee and 12,000 to be used to produce a project in the BACC. The jury meeting and press conference will be commenced in January 2013 and a solo exhibition by an award winner will be shown in August 2013.
On top of promoting contemporary Asian artists’ works, Director of BACC states that this award event also matures relationship between international organisations which is one of principles BACC continues exploring. Likewise, by including scouts from around Asian countries in a selection of artists set forward connections within Asian artistic circle developing imaginative perspective on contemporary art within the region.
‘The Han Nefkens Foundation - BACC Award for Contemporary Art’ will be awarded every two years.
Han Nefkens Foundation was founded in 2009, aiming to promote production of contemporary art.