Description
The Hermit Foundation was a Czech not-for-profit organization founded in 1993 primarily
as a means to support the Center for Metamedia-Plasy. The foundation closed in 1999.
From 1996-1998, the foundation's activities and ability to support cultural
initiatives were broadened to provide modest levels of support to other
cultural projects in the Czech Republic, which like the Center for Metamedia,
are of an international, interdisciplinary, non-commercial nature. With the
suspension of direct financial assistance to other projects in 1999, the Hermit
Foundation has begun to develop other ways to assist these types of projects,
through collaboration, distribution of information and the formation of
networks of similar initiatives.
Who Supported the Foundation
The Foundation began with no resources or property of its own and continues
with its activities today on a limited budget and with minimal administrative
expenses. It serves as a fund for the Center. We have found among individuals
and organizations able to provide financial support the understanding for
the importance of the cultural activity that takes
place at places like the Center for Metamedia-Plasy. With their support
of the Hermit Foundation, we have been able to contribute to and help stimulate
this sphere's development, to help ensure that there will be places where
artists from all fields and from all nations can work on equal terms in settings where
interaction, experimentation, and growth are encouraged.
Among the most important funders of the Hermit Foundation's activities were
the Pro Helvetia Ost-West Program, the Soros Center for Contemporary Arts
Network and the Soros Foundations, the Prince Bernhard Fund, and the Czech
Ministry of Culture. Many foreign agencies provide
support directly to artists for their participation in the Center's programs.
1997
Arbor Vitae Foundation - 40 000,- Kc for the publication in 1997
of "Jdeme dlouhou cestou" [We Walk a Long Road], a textbook by
and about the Romany history, culture, and visual artists for use in Czech
schoolrooms for multiethnic education.
College of Applied Arts - 30 000,- Kc for the publication in 1997 of the catalogue of the interdisciplinary visual arts symposium held at the granary in Klenova.
Four Days in Motion Association - 30 000,-Kc for the international performance festival "Four Days in Motion" held in Prague from November 16-19, 1997.
mamapapa - 20 000,- Kc for the international day-long music, performance, and visual art festival "Solstice" held in at the former monastery in Mnichovo Hradiste from on June 21, 1997 and 30 000,- Kc for promotion and development of programs for 1998.
Serpens Association - 10 000,- Kc for the exhibition and conference "Duvod veci neviditelnych" [Reason for Things Invisible] held at the former Liben Synagogue in Prague in September 1997; and 20 000,- Kc for the publication of the 1997 yearbook of exhibitions held at the former Liben Synagogue.
U Bileho Jednorozce Association - 20 000,- Kc for the publication of the catalogue accompanying the exhibition of Alva Hajn.
1996
College of Applied Arts - 20 000,- Kc for the publication in 1996 of the catalogue of the interdisciplinary visual arts symposium held at the granary in Klenova.
Czech Museum of Fine Arts - 20 000,- Kc for the publication in 1996 of the exhibition catalogue "Gateway to the Infinite: Vladimir Boudnik from Prague Collections".Four Days in Motion Association - 40 000,- Kc for the international performance festival "Four Days in Motion" held in Prague in the fall of 1996.
Serpens Association - 40 000,- Kc for the publication of the 1996 yearbook of exhibitions held at the former Liben Synagogue.
U Bileho Jednorozce Association - 20 000,- Kc for the publication of the catalogue of the visual arts symposium held at the granary in Klenova.