For over half a century, Rolex has partnered with some of the world's most talented artists and leading cultural institutions to celebrate excellence and help perpetuate artistic heritage, bridging the past, present and future.

Through Rolex's Perpetual Arts Initiative, which spans a broad spectrum of disciplines including music, architecture, film and the Rolex Mentorship Program, the Brand confirms its enduring commitment to supporting culture and the arts around the world .

The mentorship program was launched in 2002 to serve a noble cause: to foster the transmission of the world's artistic heritage from one generation to the next through an initiative that transcends the boundaries of nations, cultures, disciplines and generations. The traditional concept of mentorship was thus reintroduced – a natural approach for a watchmaking company that boasts a time-honored apprenticeship system. At a turning point in their professional lives, when the path to success becomes clearer, Rolex offers young artists the opportunity to be mentored by great visionaries of their respective disciplines – extraordinary artists they would never have hoped to meet , let alone having them as mentors.

AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM

With its vision of an inclusive program, bringing multiple art forms under one wing – visual arts, dance, theatre, music, literature, cinema and architecture – Rolex was ahead of its time: no corporate program dedicated to the arts , in fact, could rival his in terms of scale and scope. Twenty years later, the initiative has demonstrated its extraordinary impact. How many programs can boast such a vast and extensive community of artists and other art professionals across the world?

Since 2002, 1,350 people from 120 countries have been selected to participate in the program, and hundreds of leading artists and influential figures in the arts have selected young artists or participated in the initiative as consultants. To date, 63 Masters have chosen as many Students from 41 different countries. Rolex considers the development of this global creative community one of the program's greatest achievements.

ARTISTS OF GREAT STAGE

Another extraordinary aspect of the program is the caliber of the artists it has seduced and involved in its mission. Brian Eno, Stephen Frears, David Hockney, Zakir Hussain, Robert Lepage, Mario Vargas Llosa, the late Toni Morrison, the late Jessye Norman, Crystal Pite, Julie Taymor, Kazuyo Sejima and Sir David Chipperfield are just some of the big names who have generously dedicated their time to the initiative.

Over the past 20 years, the Rolex Master and Protégé initiative has acquired unparalleled credit and reputation in artistic circles for its distinctive and unique vision of mentorship: a generous and comprehensive experience, which plays a tangible role in promoting the excellence and the future of the arts. The program has helped uncommon young talents reveal their full potential, encouraged dialogue between different cultures and disciplines, and forged a multigenerational artistic community around the world.