Since its inception, Rolex has been a symbol of excellence, elegance, and prestige. The brand’s pursuit of perfection has been the driving force behind its commitment to supporting individuals and organizations in the arts, culture, sport, and exploration. The Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative has been a cornerstone of the brand’s commitment to global culture for over half a century, creating a link between the past, present, and future.
A Legacy of Excellence: Rolex and Music
Music is a vital component in our lives, and Rolex understands its importance as a universal language that connects generations. The brand has long-standing relationships with some of the world’s most talented artists, including the first Rolex Testimonee from the arts, New Zealand soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Other opera greats soon followed, including Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, British bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva, German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón, Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez, and French tenor Benjamin Bernheim.
Academy Museum of Motion
Rolex’s support of music extends beyond opera, with classical luminaries such as Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and English-Italian conductor Sir Antonio Pappano. Rising young artists are encouraged through initiatives such as Operalia, the World Opera Competition, and the Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award. Rolex also partners with leading opera houses worldwide, including Teatro alla Scala, the Royal Opera House, and the Metropolitan Opera.
Timeless Partnerships: Expanding the Arts Portfolio
Over the years, Rolex’s arts portfolio has continued to expand and now includes the Salzburg Festival and the Whitsun Festival. The brand’s commitment to making high-quality music accessible to a wide audience is exemplified through its support for the leading streaming platform, medici.tv. Rolex’s dedication to supporting the arts is further underscored through partnerships with performing arts centers such as the National Center for the Performing Arts and the Elbphilharmonie.
For the seventh consecutive year, Rolex is Proud Sponsor of the Oscars® ceremony held at the Dolby® Theatre Hollywood.
The Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative is a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence, artistic heritage, and cultural preservation. Through its broad portfolio of arts that extend through music, architecture, cinema, and the Rolex mentoring program, the brand continues to support artistic excellence and the transmission of knowledge to future generations, making a lasting contribution to culture worldwide.
The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative: Fostering Creativity and Perpetuating Cultural Heritage
The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative was specifically set up to enable an exchange between different generations of artists, to assist in perpetuating the world’s cultural heritage. Established in 2002, the program seeks out gifted young talents from all over the world and pairs them with world-renowned artists in their discipline for a minimum of six weeks of creative collaboration in a one-to-one mentoring relationship.
The program has an independent Advisory Board that changes according to each cycle and recommends mentors. Young artists cannot apply directly. Rather, nominating panels identify suitable potential protégés based on a profile desired by the respective mentors. They are then invited by Rolex to
This unparalleled programme serves as a unique platform for emerging artists to learn, create and grow, under the guidance of some of the most accomplished professionals in the industry.
Architecture and the Art of Timekeeping
Filmmaker and Rolex Testimonee Martin Scorsese.
Rolex’s dedication to supporting the arts and culture extends beyond the world of music and cinema, as it also recognizes the importance of architecture in creating lasting and functional works of art. A building, much like a watch, must be crafted with precision, balance and beauty, in order to be deemed a true masterpiece.
Over the years, Rolex has commissioned some of the world’s most renowned architects to design its buildings, including Fumihiko Maki for the Rolex Toyocho Building in Tokyo, and Michael Graves for the Lititz Watch Technicum in Pennsylvania. The most recent addition to Rolex’s impressive collection is the Kengo Kuma-designed Rolex Building in Dallas, Texas, which stands out for its innovative environmental design and features a series of planted terraces on every floor.
Rolex and the World of Cinema
Rolex’s close ties to the world of cinema date back many years, with its watches having been featured on the wrists of legendary characters in numerous films, including multiple Oscar-winning masterpieces. Through its support of artistic and technical excellence in filmmaking, Rolex has become an active participant in the industry. The brand encourages the preservation and transmission of the cinematic arts, celebrates progress and excellence, and supports both living legends and budding talents.
Rolex counts acclaimed filmmakers Martin Scorsese and James Cameron among its Testimonees, and through its partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, serves as Proud Sponsor of the Oscars®. The brand also supports the Governors Awards, which recognize lifetime achievement in film.
Rolex’s dedication to the arts and culture continues to make a lasting contribution to global culture and artistic heritage. Through its ongoing commitment to excellence and achievement, the brand is helping to shape the future of the arts, and supporting emerging artists as they rise to greatness.
To learn more about the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative and its various programmes, visit their website.
