The scholarship named after the painter and graphic artist Gyula Derkovits has long been known by artists simply as the Derkó. Founded in 1955, its main aim is to assist young artists by providing financial support so they are free to concentrate on the creative process. The Derkó also carries a great deal of prestige as the first State accolade in any artist’s career, potentially serving as letter of introduction to the higher echelons of the art scene. Once judging has taken place, the exhibition held at the Kunsthalle (Műcsarnok) functions as an important forum for presenting the works of young Derkó Scholars. It showcases a small selection of each artist’s work, which in itself can lead to exciting new opportunities such as invitations to participate in group or solo exhibitions.
