Biggest Art Revamp in 40 Years: What's Next for Young Filipino Artists?

The Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its esteemed Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program, marking a significant milestone in the world of Filipino art. In a remarkable move, the foundation has opted to skip this year’s annual competition, which traditionally honors emerging artistic talent from across the country. Instead, MBFI will be hosting a massive, interactive exhibition that promises to be an unparalleled experience for art enthusiasts and supporters of the program.

The MADE program has, for the past four decades, been a driving force behind the careers of numerous young artists, providing them with an esteemed platform to showcase their talents and gain recognition on a national scale. Since its inception in 1984, the program has overseen the meteoric rise of hundreds of artists, sculptors, and designers, many of whom have gone on to achieve international acclaim and become household names.

According to MBFI representatives, the decision to replace this year’s competition with an exhibition is not intended to signal the program’s demise. On the contrary, the celebration marks a momentous occasion in the MADE program’s evolution, as announced during the exhibition opening that a “new chapter” will unfold for the MADE competition when it returns next year.

This forthcoming chapter will introduce exciting changes to the competition’s format, application process, or judging criteria, which are intended to keep the program relevant to and aligned with the needs of a rapidly changing art landscape in the Philippines. Sources reveal that organizers are reconsidering and revising some key aspects to ensure that the program continues to meet the evolving needs of aspiring artists, with increased emphasis on fostering innovative methods of self-expression and representation.

Visitors to the exhibition, which will run for an extended period, will be treated to an impressive showcase of previous MADE winners, alongside a selection of rare art pieces and rarely seen works from the past four decades. The event is an exclusive opportunity for the public to engage in and appreciate numerous facets of Philippine art culture that might otherwise remain inaccessible.

It remains to be seen what form this new chapter will take, but what is clear is that the MADE program, under the leadership of the MBFI, remains committed to championing the nation’s thriving artistic community and shaping the future of the Philippine art scene. As anticipation builds ahead of next year’s competition, art lovers and young creatives alike eagerly await the next installment in the MADE program’s enduring legacy.