The Sompo Japan Fine Art Foundation established the “Shorei-Sho Award” (or the “Outstanding Rising Artists Award”) for emerging artists and the “Seiji Togo Memorial Museum Grand Prix Award” for established artists in 1977. Since then, the foundation has been organizing exhibitions of award winners. We decided to start a public entry competition called FACE (“Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Art Award”) to carry forward our 35-year mission of raising and supporting emerging artists. The 6th FACE exhibition saw the entry of many attractive works from 970 emerging artists throughout Japan. The jury members selected 71 works of international appeal through a process of time-consuming consideration. The Grand Prix Award work will become a part of our museum’s collection and shown at the next FACE exhibition as well. Also, one Grand Prix Award winner and three Excellent Work Award winners each year will exhibit their works at a group show of 12 artists to be held every three years.
As our motto “The gateway to the art world regardless of age or affiliation” says, selected artists are from the ages of 20s to 70s and their career varies as well. We hope that this new competition will become an event that all emerging artists aspire to win and that this exhibition will continue to support artists for many years to come.