Princess Grace Foundation Announces 2011 Award Winners

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) and its Chairman, Hon. John F. Lehman, announced today the winners of the 2011 Princess Grace Awards. The Awards for theater, dance and choreography, and film continue the legacy of Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, who helped emerging artists pursue their artistic goals during Her lifetime. This year's 21 Awards winners will travel to New York City, where they will receive their Awards at the annual black-tie Princess Grace Awards Gala, on November 1, 2011 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Each recipient will receive a wearable objet d'art, created by artist Alex Soldier.

At the Gala, The Montblanc Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco will be unveiled for the first time in the U.S. This new tribute Montblanc collection of fine jewelry pieces, timepieces and writing instruments celebrates Princess Grace's iconic, timeless style; artistic talent and unrelenting commitment to helping others. Sophisticated, feminine and elegant, these are some of the most exquisite pieces ever crafted in Montblanc's Ateliers, rich in detail and inspired by this icon's spirit and attention to style.

The Awards winners exemplify both classical and experimental artistic disciplines and, while still considered emerging talent, already show exceptional promise in their areas of expertise. PGF-USA assists their theater and dance studies, helps pay their artistic fees at non-profit companies and helps support their thesis film projects.

Special Project Awards and Works in Progress Residencies at the Baryshnikov Arts Center offer past Awards winners support for projects that advance their artistic development. This year there are eight Special Projects and three Works in Progress Residencies.

Past winners of the Awards who distinguish themselves in their artistic disciplines since receiving their initial Awards are eligible for the Princess Grace Statue Award. This Award includes a $25,000 gift and a Bronze Statue of Princess Grace created by Dutch artist Kees Verkade. This year's winner is acclaimed film director Jon M. Chu.

PGF-USA, a public charity, was formed after the death of Princess Grace in 1982. It awards scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships to artists at the start of their careers. Since the Foundation's inception, more than 700 Awards have been given, totaling more than $8.5 million.