Global Aesthetic Deed of the Year

Since 1997, the Finnish Society for Aesthetics has been awarding the Aesthetic Deed of the Year (in Finland). We have thus highlighted important aesthetic work made in art, city planning, architectural renovation, the media and other fields where aesthetics can make a difference. With the award, we aspire to foster discussion about aesthetics and its role in society.

The award is given to a person or community which has through its acts, products, or thoughts raised discussion about art, beauty, and aesthetic value. The recipient of the award is announced in the autumn seminar of the Society, in the beginning of December.

Starting from 2015, the Finnish Society for Aesthetics also awards a global version of the same prize. The recipient of the award in 2015 has been chosen by the secretary of the society, Harri Mäcklin. The award of the Global Aesthetic Deed of the Year 2015 is granted to

The Association of Art Museum Directors

for their “Protocols for Safe Havens for Works of Cultural Significance from Countries in Crisis.” The protocols provide guidelines for the preservation of museum collections under threat of destruction due to terrorism, conflict, or other threat in “safe havens” of other museums. The protocols are a significant contribution to the prevention of such atrocities we are witnessing in Syria and Iraq today. With these protocols the Association of Art Museum Directors also sends an important message of solidarity in the name of preserving our cultural and artistic heritage in troubling times.