The VNY Fine Art Awards will be awarded annually, starting January 29th, 2004. Awards will be given to artist of color for an outstanding execution of an art work created independently. Each year between Ocotber 15th and the December 15th nominations for the prize are invited from the public. The Jury may add their own nominations and from all nominations a shortlist, currently of eleven artists, is drawn up by the Jury. A different jury will be selected each year. The Jury always includes curators, art critic, an overseas curator, a representative of the non-for profit gallery, and a Museum showcasing artist of African diaspora. Later in the year an exhibition of the eleven artists is held in New York City, Their decision is based on the strength of the work for which the artists were nominated, not necessarily on the work shown in the exhibition.