2025 CARLA FENDI STEAM AWARD

TO WILLIAM KENTRIDGE


On stage at the final concert of Spoleto68 Festival dei Due Mondi, Maestro Ivan Fischer presented the Carla Fendi STEAM 2025 Award to Bronwyn Lace and Neo Muyanga, on behalf of William Kentridge. The award’s contribution was intended to support The Centre for the Less Good Idea — the center for performing arts Kentridge founded in 2016 in Johannesburg, together with Bronwyn Lace. The Centre, where Lace and Muyanga are respectively Director and Impresario, promotes collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects, with particular focus on supporting artists from the African continent. Its distinctive approach encourages artists to pursue “the less good idea" — that is, the idea which at first appears marginal to the main project, but which may reveal unexpected potential and greater exploratory opportunities.

 


“Kentridge has developed a working method based on collaboration among writers, dancers, filmmakers, musicians, and over the years has involved more than two thousand artists from Africa and around the world in performances and workshops,” said Maria Teresa Venturini Fendi. “It is this collective synergy, along with the richness of Kentridge's artistic value and that of the entire group, that attracted me to this project. It is perfectly in line with the multidisciplinary and social approach of the Foundation, and it deserves a well-earned recognition.”

At the close of the award ceremony, the actors, dancers, and singers of The Centre for the Less Good Idea — members of the cast of The Great Yes, The Great No, Kentridge’s production featured in the festival program — took to the stage, parading at its edge to enthusiastic applause from the audience.