Hamish Dunbar of Café Oto awarded inaugural £25,000 Genesis Prize

The Genesis Prize - one of the most generous in the arts sector - is the only award of its kind to recognise outstanding mentors of young artistic talent covering all art forms, and was devised as part of the celebrations to mark the Genesis Foundation’s first ten years of nurturing emerging talent in the UK.

2012 Prize nominees were solicited from leading figures in the arts world and the six shortlisted candidates made presentations on Monday 27 March to a high-profile panel of judges outlining their mentoring work and how they would spend the £25,000 on furthering their work.

The judges comprised Elyse Dodgson (Royal Court Theatre), David Lan (Young Vic Theatre), David Pountney (Welsh National Opera), Lord Rogers (architect), John Studzinski (Genesis Foundation), Dame Janet Suzman (actress and director), and Dr Paul Thompson (Royal College of Art).

John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Foundation said:

“The judging panel were impressed by all six finalists, but Hamish showed entrepreneurial courage in founding Café Oto and in a remarkably short time has designed an innovative space that has created a new audience for avant-garde music. His proven ability to bring different artists together, and the role he plays in forming creative relationships made him stand out from the other finalists. Transforming a disused warehouse into such a vibrant venue shows a degree of fearlessness that will stand him in good stead and make him a great mentor to musicians for many years to come. All the judges said that Café Oto was the venue that they wish to visit!”

2012 Genesis Prize winner, Hamish Dunbar will use the award to further the activities of Café Oto, launching an Associate Artists Programme which will team young emerging performers with established musicians, providing a platform to raise the profile of experimental music.

Hamish Dunbar said:

“I wish to thank the judges of the Genesis Prize for awarding me this prize and for recognising the work done by everyone associated with Café Oto."

Find out more about the work of Café Oto on their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Read the Genesis Prize announcement press release.
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