For the past twenty-seven years, the Steenbergen Foundation and the Nederlands Fotomuseum, in close collaboration, have made a prize for young photographers possible. The Steenbergen Stipendium, launched in 1998, is aimed at recent graduates from photography programs at accredited Dutch art academies. With a prize of €5,000 and an exhibition at the Nederlands Fotomuseum, the Steenbergen Stipendium encourages young photographic talent.
In recent years, several fundamental changes have occurred within the foundation, particularly in the composition of the board, such as the unexpected passing of the chairman Marlise Crowley-Meuter.These developments have led the board to reconsider the future of the foundation. One of the conclusions from this reflection is that continuing the Steenbergen Stipendium in its current form no longer aligns with the foundation's new ambitions, and therefore, it will not be continued in its present form.
The board is proud of what the winners and nominees of the stipendium have contributed to photography both in the Netherlands and abroad over the past decades. In the board's view, the collaboration with the Nederlands Fotomuseum has created a unique representation of an exceptional period in the development of Dutch photography and photo education in the Netherlands.
The board deeply regrets that this decision was necessary and is grateful for the support it has been able to provide for this development.
Simultaneously, the board is enormously grateful to the Nederlands Fotomuseum and all others who have contributed to making this prize possible.