Distribution policy
Adopted on March 6, 2025
According to the charter, the Foundation’s primary purpose is to annually award a music prize as an honorary grant that cannot be applied for. When awarding the prize, “only purely musical qualifications may be considered, and all questions of nationality, race, religion, political views, or financial status must be disregarded.”
The Léonie Sonning Music Prize focuses on classical music. However, this is understood in a broad sense; as music and its boundaries continuously evolve, the board selects candidates from the entire diversity of classical music. Emphasis is placed not only on excellence but also on the recipient’s ability to leave a personal mark on the development of the art form through their artistic work.
The current prize amount is DKK 1,000,000.
In addition, the Foundation awards annual scholarships—currently approximately 10 grants of DKK 100,000 each—in accordance with the charter, to young composers, conductors, musicians, or singers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, based solely on musical qualifications. If these qualitative requirements do not prevent it, candidates from Sweden and Denmark shall be given priority.
The talent prizes are primarily awarded to young composers, musicians, conductors, or singers residing in Denmark. As the scholarships aim to support artistic development, recipients must submit a plan for approval by the board.
The scholarships cannot be applied for.
More information
Kristina Sindberg
Senior advisor
kristina@sindbergkommunikation.dk
Mobile 24860184