The Vincent Award was launched by the Broere Charitable Foundation in 2000 in memory of Monique Zajfen, a beloved friend of the Broere family and former holder of Galerie 121 in Antwerp. Her commitment to and passion for contemporary art are now once again helping to call attention
to European artists of great talent.

Purpose of the prize is to stimulate talent in Europe and to promote communication in a free, united and peaceful Europe. Since 2006 the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is the host of The Vincent Award, earlier editions were organized together with the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht.

The Vincent Award is a biennial award, accompanied by an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. In 2008 the award and exhibition will be hosted at the temporary location of the Stedelijk Museum in the Post CS-building close to Central Station. From 2010 on, the location will be the renewed building of the Stedelijk Museum at the Museumplein in Amsterdam.

As adjunct to The Vincent Award, in collaboration with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, The Broere Charitable Foundation established The Monique Zajfen Collection, given to the Stedelijk Museum on long-term loan. The basis for this collection are acquired works by prize-winners of The Vincent Award and purchases of work by other contemporary artists.

The first presentation of acquisitions for The Monique Zajfen Collection, the exhibition The Present, was on display at the Stedelijk Museum CS from 2 June – 16 September 2007.
The Stedelijk Museum will present annual exhibitions of the Monique Zajfen Collection – recently acquired works in years with an uneven number, works by the winners of The Vincent Award in years with an even number.