The Praemium Imperiale is a global arts prize awarded annually by the Japan Art Association. Since its inauguration in 1989, it has become a mark of the arts.

Six nomination committees, each chaired by an International Advisor, propose candidates in five fields: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music and Theatre/Film.

2013 laureates come from Europe and the USA:

• Painting: Michelangelo Pistoletto (Italy)


• Sculpture: Anthony Gormley (UK)


• Architecture: David Chipperfield (UK)


• Music: Placido Domingo (Spain)


• Theatre/Film: Francis Ford Coppola (USA)

The artists are recognized and awarded for their achievements, for the impact they have had internationally on the arts, and for their role in enriching the global community. Each laureate receives an honorarium of 15 million yen, and a diploma and medal will be presented by honorary patron of the Japan Art Association Prince Hitachi in an awards ceremony held in Tokyo on October 16, 2013.

In addition to the Praemium Imperiale awards in 5 categories, the Japan Art Association gives an annual grant of 5 million yen to a group or institution that encourages the involvement of young people in arts.

The 2013 Grant for Young Artists goes to the JuniOrchestra of Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome (Italy) [Image]