Organizer Information
dsm-firmenich is a global leader in nutrition, health, and beauty solutions, formed by the 2023 merger of DSM and Firmenich, with a strong emphasis on sustainable innovation and sensory experiences. The Art of Progress Prize marks the company's inaugural foray into the arts, harnessing creativity to drive positive change and amplify underrepresented voices. Chaired by Astrid Rosetti, Founder & Director of Rosetti Firmenich Art Advisory—an expert in post-war and contemporary art with experience at Hauser & Wirth, Sotheby’s, and Deutsche Bank—the prize bridges artistic expression with scientific and environmental advancements. By fostering collaborations between creators and its teams of scientists, perfumers, and innovators, dsm-firmenich positions itself as a catalyst for interdisciplinary progress, inviting global talents to reimagine sustainability through multi-sensory lenses and contributing to a cultural dialogue that inspires ethical, forward-thinking practices in an era of ecological urgency.
Title & Description
The Art of Progress Prize
This groundbreaking global prize challenges artists to reimagine boundaries, bend senses, and shape a sustainable tomorrow through innovative, multi-sensory works that fuse art with environmental consciousness. The purpose is to celebrate creativity as a force for progress, spotlighting projects that provoke thought, connect communities, and propose solutions to pressing global issues like climate resilience and sensory immersion. Participants are invited to create or develop pieces—such as bio-art, data visualisations, or scent-infused installations—that push the frontiers of perception and materiality, encouraging the integration of fragrance and other sensory elements to heighten impact. As the inaugural edition, the prize not only honours bold visions but also embeds selected works into dsm-firmenich's ecosystem, fostering real-world applications and dialogues that extend beyond the gallery. This opportunity empowers emerging talents to transform abstract ideas into tangible experiences, contributing to a narrative where art accelerates sustainable innovation and human-centred design.
Categories
All artistic mediums (with a focus on multi-sensory and sustainable practices, including bio-art, data visualisation, scent-driven installations, performance, sculpture, digital media, and interdisciplinary hybrids; fragrance elements encouraged).
Eligibility
Open internationally to individual artists or collectives aged 18 to 35 (as of the application deadline). No nationality, gender, or background restrictions; submissions in non-English languages are accepted with English summaries (≤150 words per document) and captions. Works must demonstrate multi-sensory innovation and sustainable themes; in-progress pieces are eligible if complete by the exhibition.
Program Benefits & Awards
The Grand Prize winner secures a €15,000 development grant to realize their vision, a year-long mentorship with dsm-firmenich's science, creative, and perfumery teams for collaborative refinement, and a solo exhibition slot at the company's Kaiseraugst headquarters. Up to five of the ten finalists join a group exhibition on June 18, 2026, gaining global exposure to dsm-firmenich's network of innovators, collectors, and media. All finalists benefit from jury feedback, promotional amplification via the company's channels, and potential future collaborations, such as commissions or residencies. Artists retain full intellectual property rights, with dsm-firmenich granted only non-exclusive, royalty-free promotional usage. This prestige often catalyzes career milestones, including international residencies, publications, and partnerships in the art-sustainability nexus.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Submissions include a portfolio and CV (PDF ≤25 MB) with up to three artworks (high-res JPGs ≤1 MB each or Vimeo/YouTube links), titles, dimensions, and descriptions; a short artist statement (≤300 words) on multi-sensory and sustainable approaches; and a biography/CV (≤2 pages). Additionally, a statement of intent (≤300 words) detailing the work's innovative impact; optional supporting materials like press clippings or awards (PDF ≤5 MB). All ideally in English, with summaries for other languages; emphasize originality and feasibility for exhibition.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 March 2026
- Notification Date: April 2026
- Event Date: June 18, 2026
- Mentorship Period: June 2026 to June 2027
Location
Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
Additional Details
A distinguished Selection Committee (Touria El Glaoui, Stijn Huijts, Laurence Semichon, Prateek & Priyanka Raja, Raphael Fonseca) shortlists ten finalists, incorporating a collective employee vote from dsm-firmenich's global workforce. The International Jury (Stefanie Hessler, Christopher K. Ho, Sissel Tolaas, JaeMyung Noh, Fatoş Üstek) selects the winner based on artistic merit, sustainability impact, sensory innovation, and exhibition feasibility. Selected works must be available for the full exhibition period (sales permitted with loan-back); confidentiality assured, no individual feedback due to volume. Full rules at the linked resources PDF. This prize not only funds bold experimentation but also embeds artists in a corporate-creative hybrid, potentially unlocking interdisciplinary opportunities in fragrance, biotech, and eco-art.