The Greenfield Prize

The Greenfield Prize was established on September 19, 2008. On that date the trustees of the Greenfield Foundation voted to contract with the Hermitage Artist Retreat to create, administer, and promote a national prize. The prize is a $30,000 commission for a new work of art in any discipline selected by the Hermitage. In addition to the financial support, the prize offers assistance through a residency at the Hermitage, a producing partner in the form of a professional organization to participate in the early stage development, and support to premiere and disseminate the finished work throughout the country.

The first year of the prize in 2009, two commissions were given; one in drama for a new play, and one in music for a new piece of chamber music. The impetus behind the dual commission was to move to a two-year "gestation" period for future commissioned works while still bringing a new piece into the world by spring of 2010.

This process represents the vision of Bob Greenfield, founder and past president of the Greenfield Foundation. Bob and his wife, Louise are life-long lovers of art in all its forms. It was Bob who worked with Hermitage Executive Director Bruce Rodgers to develop this plan for the Foundation's significant, long-term investment.