RM Young Blood Foundation x VandenEnde Foundation

28.01.24

As the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam comes to life for the 25th edition of Art Rotterdam, we are proud to join Galerie Ron Mandos in celebrating its 25th anniversary in collaboration with the VandenEnde Foundation. This partnership underscores their shared commitment to nurturing young talent in the arts, a dedication that deeply resonates with our mission at YBF. This year’s festival not only commemorates a quarter-century of exceptional talent but also emphasizes the joint efforts of Galerie Ron Mandos, Art Rotterdam, and the RM Young Blood Foundation in championing the young art community.

Galerie Ron Mandos has served as a hub for over thirty internationally recognized artists since its inception. A pivotal initiative in this endeavor has been their Best of Graduates program, which commenced in 2008, providing a platform for the most promising art academy graduates to showcase their final projects and establish networks. In 2018, they further strengthened this support by founding the RM Young Blood Foundation.

At this year’s Art Rotterdam, Galerie Ron Mandos is thrilled to present works from 25 artists who have been part of our Best of Graduates program over the past five years. This showcase includes among others, new paintings by Matias Salgado, sculptures by Bart Pols, video art by Thom van Rijckevorsel, textile pieces by Marcos Kueh, and ceramics by Anni Mertens, all displayed in a unique booth designed by Tom Postma Design.

The VandenEnde Foundation, established in 2001 by Joop and Janine van den Ende, has been a significant supporter of these endeavors. Their dedication to nurturing young talent and backing cultural and educational projects throughout the Netherlands has resulted in over a thousand generous contributions, playing a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant cultural landscape. Their recent support of the project at Art Rotterdam and the RM Young Blood Foundation’s Best of Graduates program has been instrumental.

In the words of Ronald Ockhuysen, general manager of the VandenEnde Foundation: “It is our mission to make culture self-evident in our society, not only because it is beautiful and thought-provoking but simply because it is of vital importance. Our commitment to stimulating young talent in the arts aligns perfectly with the ethos of Galerie Ron Mandos and the Young Blood Foundation, which have been supporting young talent for years.”

As we participate in this year’s Art Rotterdam, the  YBF expresses our heartfelt thanks to the VandenEnde Foundation for their unwavering support. We are grateful for their vision and generosity, which have played an invaluable role in fostering emerging talent in the world of contemporary art.