We were very much looking forward to honoring this extraordinary artist at the Nasher Prize Award Gala in April 2020. However, like nearly everything else, our plans last spring changed. A year later but with just as much enthusiasm, we are happy to share our plans to finally honor laureate Michael Rakowitz, who is so deserving of this award and our heartfelt praise. While we must continue to take precautions and present these events in a virtual format, we have planned—with help from the inventive genius of our laureate—events which promise to inspire and delight. We invite you to celebrate with us.

In a generous extension of his culinary artistic practice and heritage, for the award celebration Michael Rakowitz offers Nasher Prize patrons a live, intimate, and participatory adaptation of the traditional Seder meal, a Jewish ritual that marks the beginning of the Passover, commemorating the Israelites exodus from Egypt in 13th century BCE. Seder in Hebrew means ‘order or procedure’—the sequence of events done in advance of some great change or movement. Through this reinvented and imaginative Seder, Rakowitz thoughtfully considers the current pandemic, in which people throughout the world are homebound and separated from community, heralding the promise of coming liberty and connection. Join him and fellow Nasher Prize supporters for this remarkable occasion, when the Nasher Prize Award object will also finally be bestowed. Patrons will receive a package of provisions for the meal in advance.

Support 

Proceeds from the Nasher Prize not only benefit associated programming but also help sustain the year-round work undertaken by the Nasher Sculpture Center itself, including thought-provoking exhibitions, impactful education and community initiatives, and more. You can support the Nasher Prize here.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact the Nasher Development Team at 214.242.5151 or at [email protected].