MADRID, Spain – illycaffè, a global coffee company known for the privileged bond it has built with the world of contemporary art, celebrates 20 years participating as a coffee partner in the International Contemporary Art Fair ARCOmadrid, which will take place from March 5 to 9. This collaboration grown 18 years ago with the creation of illy Sustain Art, a project designed to support the dissemination of art and culture by awarding the best emerging artist of the fair, according to a specialist jury. The winner of Sustain Art awards receive a prize of 15,000 euros.
Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffè said:
“With growing pride, we continue to support ARCOMadrid, one of the most important art fairs in Europe, where, for two decades, we have conveyed the values of the illy brand through the language of art, while also giving visibility to emerging artists and prominent masters thanks to our award, which has now come of age.”
The illy lounges
At stand B26 in pavilion 7 and stand D29 in pavilion 9 people can converse about art, enjoy a cup of illycaffè coffee prepared by expert baristas or discovering the last illy Art Collection signed by Syrian artist Simone Fattal, Iranian artist Shirin Neshat, Italian artist Monica Bonvicini, and Milan-based artist of Senegalese origin Binta Diaw.
They used their unique artistic styles to transmit, through the blank canvas of the illy cup, the pressing cultural, environmental, and social issues, as well as their experiences as women from diverse geographical and social backgrounds. In doing so, they become powerful advocates for women’s conditions worldwide. This collection supports the mission of the Genesi Association and the “Progetto Genesi. Arte e Diritti umani” (Genesis Project. Art and Human Rights): an itinerant path that combines exhibition and educational events with the aim of offering permanent training on the theme of human rights.
illy Sustain Art Award
As part of illy’s commitment to art and culture, this edition also features the eighteenth “illy Sustain Art Award” aimed at the patronage of young artists under 40 exhibiting at the fair. Aimed at supporting and promoting emerging talent, it is endowed with €15,000 for the production of their work, which will be exhibited at the next edition of ARCOmadrid.
This is a great opportunity for young talents, as evidenced by the high participation, with 93 artists having submitted their work.
The winner of 2025 illy Sustain Art edition will be announced on Thursday, March 6, at 4:30 PM in the illy lounge. The jury who will select the winner consists of prominent figures from the art and culture world, including Inma Prieto (Director of the Fundació Tàpies), Javier Díaz-Guardiola (Art critic for ABC and coordinator of the art section of ABC Cultural), and Mariano Mayer (independent art curator).
Mónica Mays, the winner of the 2024 award, will be honoured with a special exhibition of her work this year. Mays’ practice exists in a hybrid space between sculpture, installation, and performance. She explores the symbolism of objects, while crafting narratives based on autobiography, historical archives, and material knowledge.
