Collector Prize

The prize rewards a collector's approach: informed choice of acquisitions, verification of the origin of items, respect for international conventions, care given to the works and a willingness to make them known. Private collections and those of foundations are both eligible.

Dealers and public institutions are not eligible for this prize, which is aimed at natural persons, families and private foundations.

The jury examines the traceability of the works, the existence of title deeds and compliance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention. The works in the collection must have been the subject of provenance research, at least for recent acquisitions.

A piece voluntarily returned to its country of origin is regarded as a favourable factor. The jury values transparency about areas of uncertainty.

Openness is measured by concrete actions: loans to museums, exhibitions, publication of a catalogue, hosting researchers, digitisation of holdings. No threshold is required, but the file must show that the collection is not closed in on itself.

The jury also values educational initiatives: welcoming school groups, partnerships with universities, outreach programmes.

The file comprises a presentation note on the collection, a selective inventory, a statement of the acquisition policy, proof of provenance for ten selected pieces, and two letters of recommendation. It is submitted online.

Finalists are visited or interviewed by two members of the jury. This visit, announced in advance, checks the conditions of conservation and display.

The laureate presents their collection at a session of the General Assembly and agrees to have a portrait published in the newsletter. They undertake to remain available for a testimonial in the following year.

The award may finance the inventory, digitisation, an exhibition or a research grant. A report on its use is submitted to the jury twelve months after the ceremony.