2009 Freedom to Create Prize Launch International Prize for Artists on the Frontlines Enters Second Year

Following the success of last year’s inaugural prize, the 2009 Orient Global Freedom to Create Prize is announced in London. This unique prize honours artists on the frontlines who promote social justice, build foundations for open societies and inspire the human spirit.

Commenting on the launch Orient Global Chairman, Richard F. Chandler, said: “History shows that prosperous societies are founded upon creativity. Societies that encourage artistic expression build strong foundations for economic, political and cultural development. They will lead tomorrow’s world.” He added “The Orient Global Freedom to Create Prize celebrates the talent of artists who bring messages of hope to places of turmoil and despair. It also recognises their courage to confront injustice in circum-stances where there are visible costs and less visible rewards. They inspire the human spirit and nourish the creativity needed for progress.”

The Orient Global Freedom to Create Prize is an international award established in 2008. The Prize consists of three categories: the Main Prize, open to individuals or artistic groups in all creative fields; the Youth Prize, open to artists under the age of 18; and the Imprisoned Artist Prize, focusing on artists who are currently imprisoned for their artwork. The total prize fund is US $125,000 which will be divided between the winning artists and their nominated advocacy organizations to further the cause their artwork has highlighted.

The winner of the 2008 Prize was Cont Mhlanga, a controversial Zimbabwean playwright who has risked his life challenging the Mugabe dictatorship for over 25 years. His winning submission was a politically charged satire ‘The Good President’, presents a fictionalized account of a ruthless dictator, but closely mirrored recent events in Zimbabwe.

Open to all artists, and with just one month to go until the closing date of 14 August, there have already been over 500 entries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. A shortlist will be announced at the beginning of September and judging will take place over the following weeks. This year’s Prize will be judged by a panel of high profile artists, opinion leaders, and human rights lawyers. Details of these panelists will be announced shortly. The award ceremony will take place in London in November 2009.

The Prize is implemented by ArtAction, a philanthropic organization established by Orient Global in 2007 to improve lives by harnessing the unique powers and properties of the arts. Since inception, ArtAction has supported over 200 projects in more than 80 countries, improving the lives of an estimated 12 million people (www.artaction.com).