Are you working on an innovative and experimental project in architecture, design or crafts? If so, your project may be considered for funding from Danmarks Nationalbank’s Anniversary Foundation.
In the assessment of applications, priority is given to good craftsmanship, high quality in expression and design, innovative and experimental projects – and to ensuring that with its funding the Anniversary Foundation makes a difference for the individual project. Funding is awarded to practising craftsmen, designers or architects.
The Foundation receives 4-500 applications and awards approximately kr. 3 million in grants each year. The Foundation awards about 100 grants of kr. 15,000-50,000 each.
The Foundation also makes kr. 100,000 awards in appreciation of the recipient’s dedication and an honorary award of kr. 400,000 kr. These are non-application awards.
The Anniversary Foundation was established in 1968 to mark Danmarks Nationalbank’s 150th anniversary. The reason for establishing the Foundation was a wish to support Danish crafts and the work with beautiful packaging and design of Danish products.
Can your project be considered for funding?
The Foundation mainly provides funding for the development and design of new products in the areas of design, crafts and architecture. Funding is also provided for the development of prototypes and product development.
Design, crafts and architecture exhibitions, fairs etc. in Denmark and abroad may also be considered for funding, and work and travel grants are awarded for artistic merit in architecture, design and crafts.
Funding for books and catalogues, movies and live pictures to promote the popularity of Danish design, crafts and architecture is provided only in very exceptional cases and only if the topic has not already been covered.
The Foundation uses a number of principles to prioritise funding
- Crafts over arts
- Practice over theory
- Specific new works over operating funding
- Performing and creative processes over documentation in the form of books and the like
- Craftsmen, designers and architects over institutions, galleries etc.
- Both new and established craftsmen are eligible to apply for funding.
- Specific works in Denmark and abroad
- Elements that make a significant difference in the creation of a new work
The Foundation does not provide funding for students or study-related projects; nor is funding provided for activities taking place before the board meetings.
Although your project may be within the scope of the Anniversary Foundation’s funding areas, there is no guarantee that you will be awarded funding. The number of applications we receive far outnumbers the funds available. No reasons are given for rejections of applications.
Please note that it is only possible to apply if you have a Danish civil registration number (CPR no.) or a Danish company registration number (CVR no.).
How to apply
Your application may not exceed 10 pages in total and must contain the following:
- A description of the objective, meaning of and motivation for the project and the reason why the Anniversary Foundation should provide funding for the project. You should preferably answer these questions: What is the objective of the project and what results do you expect from the project? Maximum one standard page.
- Image and sketch material to support your application. Be aware of image copyrights and avoid mood boards.
- Mini portfolio/CV for the applicant and any other project participants. Maximum one standard page.
- Project budget and the amount of funding applied for.
- Project timeline.
- Data about grants applied for and received from other foundations.
The application may also include:
- References
- Image and sketch material from previous projects.
If the project has multiple project participants, the Foundation requests a joint application. Grants are paid to your NemKonto (normal bank account that you assign as your NemKonto)
The Anniversary Foundation only accepts applications submitted through our application portal. Find a link to the portal below. You need to start by creating a profile. The next steps are to create your application and save it as a draft until you are ready to submit it. If you want to submit an application at some later stage, all you have to do is log into the existing profile to create a new application.
You need to select the category in which you apply for funding. Then complete the application form and attach your documents in pdf format. All applications with more than 10 pages attached will be rejected.
The Anniversary Foundation Board
The Anniversary Foundation Board has seven members. Governor Christian Kettel Thomsen is Chairman of the Board, and Anne Hedensted Steffensen, Managing Director, is Deputy Chairman. The other members are:
- Clothing designer Bettina Milling Bakdal
- Architect Christina Capetillo
- Ceramic artist Morten Løbner Espersen
- Designer Ditte Hammerstrøm
- Architect Dorte Mandrup.
The Anniversary Foundation Honorary Award
The Anniversary Foundation grants an annual honorary award of kr. 400,000 to a practising Danish architect, designer or craftsman. The landscape architect Torben Schønherr received the honorary award in 2023. For almost 50 years, he has worked with landscape architecture.
Torben Schønherr trained as a carpenter before qualifying as a construction manager and architect. He has been part of several firms of architects/drawing offices, and in 1984 established his own landscape architect practice, Schønherr.
Over the years, Torben Schønherr has worked with landscape architecture in the broadest possible sense: with landscaping and art projects, and with facilities and outdoor areas at cultural buildings, office buildings, hospitals and cemeteries.
Torben Schønherr has won several first prizes in architectural competitions, and numerous prizes and grants from the world of culture.
Reasons given by the Board
The reasons given by the Anniversary Foundation Board for its decision to grant the Honorary Award to Torben Schønherr were:
"Late one winter’s evening, we stroll alone across the plaza in front of Thorvaldsens Museum.
On a bright spring morning, we return to the lines of cherry trees criss-crossing Vestre Cemetery.
At noon, we turn our faces to the west wind and watch the shifting sands crossing the undulating bricks of Vestled.
On a summer’s day, our vision expands to take in the verdant horizon of the Palace Gardens.
We are reminded of how the rain descends on the cathedral plaza time after time.
LINE, CIRCLE, CROSS. SURFACE, FRAGMENT, STARRY PATHWAY. SILENCE, STILLNESS, MONUMENT.
In recognition of your transfixing, lyrical creations, you are being awarded the 2023 honorary award from the Danmarks Nationalbank’s Anniversary Foundation."
In connection with the award presentation, Torben Schønherr will show sketches and photographs illustrating the five works mentioned in the citation. These are accompanied by texts on the theme: The Art of Building a City. The exhibition can be seen from 6 October 2023 to 1 November 2023 at Thorvaldsens Museum, Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, 1213 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Previous awardees of the Anniversary Foundation Honorary Award
You may download the photos of the Anniversary Foundation’s Honorary Award exhibitions next to each artist. The photos are in jpg format. If you wish to use the photos, you must explicitly credit Danmarks Nationalbank as the source, and the photos may not be altered or manipulated in any way.