In Lviv, the competition for the Lviv Culture Award has been launched. Over 14 calendar days, independent artists, cultural managers and employees of cultural institutions working within the Lviv community can put themselves forward for the distinction. In each of the eight categories, the competition jury will select up to three winners, and each of them will receive 50 thousand hryvnias.
The updated “Lviv Culture Award” programme was approved at a session of the Lviv City Council on 29 October. Previously, there were separate programmes for cultural workers, museum professionals and teachers at art schools. Now all of them, as well as independent professionals, can take part in a single competition — regardless of whether they work independently or in municipal, state, civic or private institutions. The jury will assess candidates’ achievements over the 12 months preceding the announcement of the competition.
Behind every performance, exhibition, educational project or new initiative in a library, there are people. We want their work to be seen and appreciated. Especially now, when culture helps us preserve our identity, support one another and make sense of the experience of war. The updated award makes it possible to recognise people from different cultural environments. Both employees of institutions and independent artists and managers will be able to apply. It is important for us to see a person’s specific contribution: what they have done, whom they have involved and what their work has given to the community, — Marta Beshlei
The award can be received in the following categories:
- Development of libraries and promotion of a reading culture;
- Education in culture;
- Preservation of cultural heritage;
- Theatre art and stage practices;
- Music initiatives and projects;
- Institutional development;
- Interdisciplinary projects in culture;
- Visual art projects.
A separate category, “Institutional development”, is provided for heads of cultural institutions, establishments and organisations. They may apply only in this category. When assessing applications, the jury will consider what changes have taken place in the institution’s work under the applicant’s leadership and how these changes meet the needs of the community.
From among all competition participants, the jury may also select a laureate of the special distinction “Discovery of the Year” with a reward of up to 100 thousand hryvnias. This decision is taken by jury members subject to available funding; there is no need to submit a separate application for this distinction.
Candidates may nominate themselves, or — with the candidate’s consent — they may be nominated by an institution, organisation, association or union in the cultural sphere. The candidate does not necessarily have to be their employee or member.
Documents for participation are accepted through Lviv’s Administrative Service Centres (TsNAPs) or as an electronic submission on the official website of the Lviv City Council. The application package must include:
- an application or nomination indicating the chosen category and consent to the processing of personal data; if the candidate is nominated by an organisation — their consent to participate as well;
- a written description of activities over the past 12 months with links to materials about their work, clearly indicating the candidate’s role in each project;
- an electronic presentation or video presentation of up to three minutes (on a USB drive or as a link to a file in cloud storage);
- optionally — a review of the work and letters of recommendation.
The winners will be selected by a competition jury comprising representatives of the city, the relevant council committee and the cultural and artistic community of the Lviv municipality.
More detailed information about participation in the competition is provided by the Culture Department of the Lviv City Council by phone on 297−55−72 and 297−58−59 or by email at upr.culture@lvivcity.gov.ua.