Aarhus 2017 given financial support to present world-class art

With the financial support of two major Danish foundations, the Obel Family Foundation and the New Carlsberg Foundation, Aarhus 2017 will be able to realise its ambitious focus on contemporary modern art.

Five million DKK from the Obel Family Foundation, plus a further three million from the New Carlsberg Foundation in support of the COAST TO COAST project, has provided the European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 with a golden opportunity to present art of the highest international standards for our enjoyment.

Under the COAST TO COAST heading, Aarhus 2017 will present works of such artists as Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Douglas Gordon, Angelica Mesiti, Zimoun, Maria Hassabi and Nathan Coley, who are all internationally recognised artists, and whose participation will ensure that the international spotlight will be turned on the European Capital of Culture.

"The support of these major foundations makes it possible for the European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 to show some of the best of contemporary international art. The COAST TO COAST project underlines our vision of presenting exceptional and pioneering works of art that get people involved. I am really looking forward to seeing how the public throughout the Central Jutland Region will react to this project, and how COAST TO COAST can help unite the whole region", says the CEO of Aarhus 2017, Rebecca Matthews.

The three million DKK from the New Carlsberg foundation are earmarked for the exhibition of ten works of the prize-winning Scottish artist, Nathan Coley. Nathan Coley is known for displaying his strident messages in the form of light manifestos on facades, or on scaffolding raised in landscapes – often where you would least expect to find them.

"Aarhus 2017 has composed an artistic programme of such a high quality that we at the foundation are more than happy to contribute. We hope that large numbers of people will encounter and reflect on Nathan Coley's sparkling works round about in the landscape, and in general allow themselves to be inspired by all the marvellous things the European Capital of Culture has to offer", comments Karsten Ohrt, Chairman of the New Carlsberg Foundation.  

The public will be able to see the works shown by the COAST TO COAST project in buses, on buildings, on town squares and out in the landscape throughout the whole region during the whole Cultural Capital year. As has been mentioned, the Obel Family Foundation has donated five million DKK to the project as a whole.

"European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 is a unique opportunity to present to a very large section of the public some of the best of contemporary international art in a Danish context, in a variety of interesting settings throughout the city. We are very happy to be able to help all this to actually take place on such a large scale, reaching out to so many members of the general public!", saysSøren Bojer Nielsen, CEO of theObel Family Foundation.

The eight million DKK from the Obel Family Foundation and the New Carlsberg Foundation are part of the fundraising total of DKK 83 million from foundations and sponsors announced by Aarhus 2017 last week. This total of  83 million DKK presumes that Aarhus 2017 will in fact receive the EU's Melina Mercouri Prize of 11 million DKK, for which it has been nominated.