Our Mission: Cultivating Art for Human Flourishing

Our Guiding Approach: Art with Purpose

The Seattle Prize is guided by what we call Rehumanism - a philosophy that reconnects masterful artistic technique with deep human meaning. Rather than art that merely reflects problems, we champion art that actively works to heal and connect. This means combining the highest levels of technical skill with genuine care for the viewer's experience, creating works that offer beauty, truth, and a sense of shared humanity.

Art as a Pathway to Connection

In an era often marked by isolation and digital detachment, the Seattle Prize champions art that is intentionally purpose-driven and grounded in enduring human values. We believe that art requiring exceptional skill, particularly in realism and representational modes, offers a unique pathway for healing and connection. The very act of rendering the world with care can be an act of love from the artist to the subject, and ultimately, to the viewer. This focus on art as a therapeutic response underscores our commitment to supporting creations that resonate deeply and foster a sense of shared humanity.

Why This Experiment is Necessary

Creating art like this – ambitious in scale, skill, and theme – requires extraordinary focus and support, the kind largely absent for decades. Market pressures often favor speed and novelty over the deep, time-consuming work needed for modern masterworks.

Inspired by historical patronage examples but focused on contemporary needs, the Seattle Prize provides that rare combination of time, funding, and mentorship. It's an experiment to see what happens when talented, classically-oriented artists are truly free to pursue work that aims for lasting significance and deep human connection. We see it as a necessary investment – a gift – in art's potential.

Community as Catalyst

This isn't just about individual artists in isolation. Bringing this cohort together in Seattle creates a dynamic environment where ideas are shared, skills are honed through critique, and mutual inspiration fuels growth. We believe this collaborative energy is crucial for tackling the ambitious goals of the fellowship.

Art for Our Time, In Our City

Ultimately, this experiment is about more than just paintings. It's about exploring whether art focused on connection, beauty, and truth can offer something grounding and therapeutic in complex times. It's happening here in Seattle, adding a unique dimension to our city's art scene. By investing in these artists, we hope to foster work that resonates, reconnects, and inspires. Join us.

Beyond fostering specific works, our mission is to champion the artists themselves – those striving to tackle important, resonant themes through dedicated craft. We aim to cultivate an environment where top emerging talent can create truly amazing work, achieving rapid personal and artistic development alongside peers who become friends and collaborators. For those who love expressive realism, we hope to be a beacon radiating warmth and appreciation. The deeper purpose driving this initiative is to foster art that reconnects us with our shared humanity, tapping into the power of what we call Rehumanism – the pursuit of Beauty, Truth, and Love through masterful artistic execution. We aim to foster art that heals, inspires, and elevates when it reconnects us with our shared humanity.