2016 Praemium Imperiale Winners Announced

The Japan Art Association has announced the winners of the 2016 Praemium Imperiale, one of the world's richest art prizes. The laureates are Cindy Sherman (USA) for painting, Martin Scorsese (USA) for theater/film, Annette Messager (France) for sculpture, Paulo Mendes da Rocha (Brazil) for architecture, and Gidon Kremer (Latvia) for music. The announcement was made by Italian advisor Lamberto Dini at a press conference held simultaneously in Rome, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo at the Hotel Westin Excelsior on Via Veneto. Each winner receives 15 million yen (approximately €134,000), a diploma, and a medal from Honorary Patron Prince Hitachi at a ceremony in Tokyo on October 18. Established in 1988 for the Japan Art Association's centenary and in honor of the late Prince Takamatsu, the prize has now been awarded to 144 artists. The association also grants an annual 5 million yen (€44,000) grant to a youth arts initiative, this year awarded to Five Arts Centre in Malaysia.