Sikkens Prize

The Sikkens Prize is awarded every two years to an individual or institution that has made a significant contribution to the field of colour. The prize recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in which colour is central and which have a transformative effect on society. The Sikkens Prize was first awarded in 1959 to the architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld.

The winner receives the prize money of €75,000 at a ceremony, of which €25,000 must be used for a project involving colour. The winner can use the rest of the prize money for personal development. The jury – consisting of the board of the Sikkens Foundation – presents the nominations.

Past winners include architects David Chipperfield and Le Corbusier, poet Seamus Heaney and artists Hella Jongerius and Bridget Riley. Outsiders among the winners are the Hippies for their colourful contribution to society and HEMA for their remarkable use of colour in products and shop design. See the full list of winners on this page.