The BMW Art Journey is the result of a partnership between Art Basel and BMW to upstand the auto brand's longstanding support of arts and culture. BMW's involvement in arts and culture dates back to the mid 1970s when the BMW Art Car was first introduced. Since then, the brand has proven that it is dedicated to giving artists a platform to create their best work.
The BMW Art Journey is a budget-less, limitless, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an artist to travel anywhere on the globe to research, become inspired, and to create new work.
Artists must surpass quite a few hurdles before they can even be considered for the Journey. Getting selected by a gallery, the gallery being selected for Art Basel’s emerging artists’ sections, opting in to the journey itself and, ultimately being selected for the shortlist are just a few of the steps in the process. The recipient of this journey is selected from the BMW Art Journey shortlist announced at either Art Basel Hong Kong or Art Basel Miami Beach. Once on the shortlist, they have six weeks to submit a proposal on the journey that they would like to take for their art. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges based on the proposal they’ve submitted.
Going beyond a simple cash-prize, the BMW Art Journey provides the winning artist the time and the resources to focus on what got them there in the first place – their art.
Now more than ever, consumers are highly attuned to a brand's authenticity when it comes to their partnerships, and can recognize companies' superficial interest in culture. BMW prides itself on investing in an artist's growth and development, by providing them with the mobility to travel, conduct research, and explore outside of their studios -- going beyond the act of promoting one of its luxury vehicles.
Thomas Girst, Head of BMW Group International Cultural Engagement, urges everyone to "stay critical when it comes to a company’s involvement in the arts, and know how to differentiate."
The shortlist artists announced at Art Basel Miami Beach are: A.K. Burns at Callicoon Fine Arts, New York, Jamal Cyrus at Inman Gallery, Houston, and Mariela Scafati at Isla Flotante, Buenos Aires. The winner will be announced in February 2018.
This post has been sponsored by BMW.
Auto Brand Art Initiatives
The BMW Art Journey is a Partnership with Art Basel
Trend Themes
1. Investing in Art Initiatives - Companies investing in art initiatives to support the growth and development of artists and showcase their authenticity.
2. Partnerships in Arts and Culture - Brands forming partnerships with art organizations to promote arts and culture on a global scale.
3. Artistic Travel and Research - Providing artists with opportunities to travel, conduct research, and explore outside of their studios to inspire and create new work.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - Automotive companies partnering with art organizations to support artists and promote their brand's authenticity.
2. Arts and Culture - Art organizations collaborating with brands to create initiatives that support artists' growth and development.
3. Luxury - Luxury brands investing in art initiatives to enhance their brand image and connect with consumers on a deeper level.