Vilcek Foundation

In fulfilling its ongoing mission to raise public awareness of the outstanding contributions of foreign-born scientists and artists living and working in the United States, the Vilcek Foundation presents awards annually to four selected candidates in biomedical research and a changing category in the arts. The guiding philosophy behind the establishment of the Vilcek Foundation Prizes, and other Foundation programs, is to support activities that reflect the values of Jan and Marica Vilcek, the organization’s cofounders, and help express their appreciation for the many opportunities afforded to them by their adopted country.

The 2013 arts category has been announced—contemporary music—and the application process is already underway for the Creative Promise prizes, even as we continue to salute  the recipients of the seventh annual Vilcek Prizes, all exemplars of the high standard set by their predecessors. The 2012 Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science was awarded to Carlos Bustamante, PhD, in recognition of his groundbreaking research into the inner workings of the cell and movement of individual molecules within cells. The Vilcek Prize for the Arts−Dance was presented to the man considered by many to be the greatest ballet dancer of this, or any, generation, Mikhail Baryshnikov. The Creative Promise Prizes, which honor earlier-stage achievement, were presented to Alice Ting, in biomedical science, for her contribution to the problem of specific protein functioning, through site-specific protein labeling, and Michel Kouakou, for his creative use of dance to build bridges of cultural understanding, worldwide. READ MORE >

 

The Vilcek Trophy 

The Vilcek Award was designed to reflect the remarkable journey made by its recipients, foreign-born scholars and artists, from their homelands to the United States. Historically, awards—typically, in the form of statues or bas-relief plaques—were designed by artists, and produced using traditional artisanal techniques, often repoussé, sculpting, or metal casting. Even today, the production of many of the most widely known and coveted awards—the Nobel Prizes, Olympic medals, sports championship cups, and statuettes in the entertainment fields—carries on these traditions, in both materials and manufacture. READ MORE >

 

Prize Images 

Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for the purpose of media coverage of the Vilcek Foundation and its activities. All published images must be accompanied by a credit line and copyright information. Downloading of images constitutes agreement to these terms. VIEW GALLERY >