Support for young musicians from the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts every year
With the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award, launched in 2012, İKSV provides support to a promising musician under the age of 30 each year in the field of classical music. Through this award, one of the Foundation’s initiatives to support young artists, İKSV aims to contribute to the development of young musicians at the beginning of their careers, enhance their public visibility, and increase their international recognition. Detailed information about musicians who have received the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award in previous years can be accessed here.
The recipient of the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award is selected from candidates in the fields of instrumental performance, voice, composition, and conducting. Each member of the selection committee is expected to nominate up to three candidates for consideration. After the candidates are determined, İKSV teams prepare a file containing their resumes, which is shared with all committee members. Subsequently, an evaluation meeting is held, during which the award recipient is chosen by majority vote of the selection committee.
The annual selection meeting is held in December, and the winning musician is announced in January. The award is presented to the recipient during the opening concert of the Istanbul Music Festival, held in June.
The evaluation criteria for the award include being under 30 years of age, having won awards in significant national and international competitions, maintaining an active and consistent music career, performing with prestigious orchestras and festivals, and engaging in recording projects. The Aydın Gün Encouragement Award also includes a monetary prize.
The members of the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award selection committee are appointed for three-year terms. According to the İKSV Board of Directors’ decision, the term of membership in all selection committees is limited to a maximum of two terms (up to six years for the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award).
The Selection Committee for 2024-2026 consists of: İKSV General Director Görgün Taner (Chair), Borusan Kocabıyık Foundation General Coordinator Ahmet Erenli, pianist and conductor İbrahim Yazıcı, pianist and state artist Gülsin Onay, Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra Concertmaster Prof. Pelin Halkacı Akın, and İKSV Deputy Director General Yeşim Gürer Oymak.