The Costa Rican section of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA Costa Rica) held its fourth annual Critics’ Award ceremony on 18 February at the National Library of Costa Rica, recognising achievements across thirteen categories in the visual arts. Presented each year as part of AICA’s mandate across its affiliates in 98 countries, the awards honour the work of artists, curators, critics, cultural managers, patrons, publications, and key initiatives. Due to its rigorous selection methodology, the AICA Costa Rica Critics’ Award is widely regarded as one of the most important distinctions in the visual arts in the Central American region.
The ceremony, also streamed online, opened with remarks from National Library director Laura Rodríguez, followed by a presentation from AICA Costa Rica president Juan Carlos Flores Zúñiga on the organisation’s mission, vision, and objectives. He emphasised the Critics’ Award as an exercise of professional, free, and independent judgment that broadens understanding of the achievements and scope of Costa Rican artistic and cultural production. Irene Antillón Ugalde, a member of the Awards and Recognition Committee, then outlined the process and methodology of the annual award and how it differs from other systems.
A message of greeting and congratulations from AICA International President Dr. Małgorzata Kaźmierczak praised AICA Costa Rica for breaking new ground internationally and for creating milestones that transcend national borders, while extending congratulations to all winners and organisers, as well as to the National Library as host. The awards are overseen by AICA Costa Rica’s Awards and Recognition Committee and each recipient receives a diploma and a trophy designed by conceptual and multimedia artist Otto Apuy Sirias. The fourth edition was made possible through the work of partners and volunteers and welcomed nearly one hundred attendees in person, alongside more than 1,500 viewers online.
A recording of the ceremony can be viewed on Facebook.