Perpetuating the Arts

The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative embarks on its next edition with five pairs of artists working across various disciplines

- Jamie Tan 

The word “perpetual” underpins every aspect of Rolex’s activities, from its core business of watchmaking to its support of sports, exploration, as well as arts and culture. This does not just entail the unceasing pursuit of excellence, but also the brand’s long‑term commitment to its partners and collaborations. For the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, “perpetual” also speaks to a specific vision: to perpetuate artistic heritage by creating intergenerational links between established artists and up‑and‑coming ones. The programme enters its 2023‑2024 cycle with five of the world’s most renowned artists, each with their chosen protégé.

For more than half a century, Rolex has supported the world’s leading artists and cultural institutions in various capacities. The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is part of the brand’s work in this area. Introduced in 2002, it was conceived to facilitate the transmission of artistic knowledge and craft from one generation of artists to the next, in diverse fields ranging from film to architecture and dance.

Every new edition of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative begins with the convening of a new advisory board. Comprising distinguished artists and art practitioners, the board is responsible for suggesting and endorsing potential mentors, who are then invited to participate in the programme. Those who accept this invitation—now officially mentors—will work with Rolex to establish a profile of the protégé they wish to guide, thus making each mentorship a unique one.