VI edition of the Bonart Awards in Barcelona - XXV years of bonart

Bonart magazine has begun its 25th anniversary, which will last until November 2025, with a series of activities throughout the territory, which will be officially presented in January of next year. The 6th edition of the Bonart Awards, which was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Caixaforum in Barcelona, culminated an edition that recognizes the work of twenty outstanding institutions and professionals who have contributed to the dissemination and promotion of contemporary art and culture in Catalonia and elsewhere.

Awards were presented to new institutions and projects with a more focused view on contemporary art. The event was presented by cultural journalist David Escamilla, co-director with Ricard Planas of the podcast Inclassificables on Catalunya Ràdio.

As was done at the event held in Girona, the event once again featured the projection of a video art by Roc Parés that collected the 200 covers created by the magazine during these 25 years, as well as the audiovisual contributions of the artist IEX Cosmonauta. Videos about the beginnings of the publishing house were also projected again and Vasco Trilla, drummer, accompanied the event with several improvised performances.

Before the awards ceremony, Ricard Planas, director of Bonart, participated in a conversation with Pere Almeda, director of the Institut Ramon Llull, and Vinyet Panyella, member of the Consell de les Arts i de la Cultura (ConCA), about Bonart's 25 years. They discussed the role played by these two institutions, the future projections and the essential role of art and culture.

In the CaixaForum Auditorium, the awards were presented by: Narcís Planas and Anna Maria Camps (honorary presidents of Bonart Cultural), Jordi Bosch (member of the Bonart Advisory Board, journalist and director of Banijay), Mireia Domingo (director of CaixaForum Barcelona), Albert Mercadé (historian and art critic, director of the Arranz Bravo Foundation and president of the Association of Art Critics of Catalonia), Marga Viza (art director of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation), Edgar Garcia (director of ICEC, Catalan Institute of Cultural Companies), Jordi Badia (coordinator of sectors and cultural strategy of Barcelona City Council) and Josep Maria Carreté Nadal (general secretary of Culture).

Among the awardees in Barcelona, the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia was recognized for its 40 years of work in the cultural structure of the country, highlighting its consolidation of industrial heritage and support for the relationship between art and science. The Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) was also awarded for its work of more than 30 years in the dissemination of contemporary arts and reflection on the global challenges of today's society.

The award for the recognized international trajectory of the Miguel Marcos Gallery was also presented at this event, as well as for its role in the international dissemination of the legacy of Joan Brossa. In addition, the Government of Andorra was awarded for its new Andorra la Vella Art Center and for its high-level programming, hosting exhibitions by artists such as Victor Vasarely and Orlan. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao received a special award for the trajectory of its management since its opening, with Juan Ignacio Vidarte at the helm, consolidating the museum as an international reference.

In addition, the Terres de l'Ebre Art Center Lo Pati was awarded for its work in the dissemination of contemporary art in Terres de l'Ebre, and Art Singular was recognized for its initiative to bring art closer to people with other (dis)abilities, from the Josep Santacreu Foundation in Guissona. The Museu d'Art Prohibit also received the award for its commitment to giving visibility to art that has often been made invisible. 

The Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Barcelona was also awarded, which was recognized for its continuous educational work and its connection with the cultural agents of Catalonia. Finally, Jaume Plensa was awarded for his exhibition at La Pedrera, the scenography of the Liceu and for his contribution to the internationalization of art made from Catalonia.

With these celebratory events, Bonart wanted to value the initiatives that have favored the cultural and artistic growth of Catalonia, both locally and internationally, recognizing the commitment of institutions, foundations, administrations and professionals who work for art and culture.