Local artist Erna Schipper wins Emmen's Lies van Urk Prize for community-driven creativity
Erna Schipper, a local artist from Emmen, has been awarded the Lies van Urk Prize 2026 for her work in bringing communities together through art. The €1,000 prize highlights her efforts to foster inclusivity and creativity, impacting hundreds of residents.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Erna Schipper |
| Prize | Lies van Urk Emancipation Stimulus Prize 2026 |
| Award Amount | €1,000 |
| Location | ATLAS Theater, Emmen (Drenthe) |
| Project Highlight | 2,565 ceramic butterflies created with 250 local residents |
| Other Nominees | Chayenne Klönne, Jiska Ravor |
| Jury Members | Lies van Urk's daughters (Annebeth, Eva), Alderman Dewy Keen, Cora Visser |
| Prize Background | Honors Lies van Urk, Emmen's first female alderman and emancipation advocate |
The municipality of Emmen awards the Lies van Urk Prize annually to individuals or initiatives that promote emancipation and social cohesion. The prize reflects the municipality’s commitment to honoring local efforts that align with these values, particularly in fostering community engagement and inclusivity.
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Erna Schipper wins Lies van Urk Prize 2026
Artist Erna Schipper has won the Lies van Urk Emancipation Stimulus Prize 2026. She received the award on Sunday, March 8, during the celebration of International Women's Day at the ATLAS Theater. Alderman Guido Rink presented the prize. Erna Schipper works as an artist in Rensenpark.
The prize consists of a rotating trophy and €1,000. A jury selected Erna Schipper as the winner. The jury included Lies van Urk's daughters, Annebeth and Eva, Alderman Dewy Keen, and last year's winner, Cora Visser.
Bringing people together through creativity
For the 90th anniversary of the zoo, Erna Schipper created 2,565 ceramic butterflies. She did this together with around 250 local residents. Erna believes it is important to bring people together and introduce them to various forms of creativity.
During this project, her studio was more than just a workspace. It was also a place where people met and engaged in conversation. Erna said, “The added value of the project was that very personal conversations arose. People felt seen and heard. I believe that is important for everyone.”
Other nominees
The other nominees were Chayenne Klönne and Jiska Ravor. Chayenne helps people with limited financial means through a minimarket and a giveaway cabinet in Emmermeer. Jiska, together with neighborhood sports coaches, organizes sports activities for young people at the sports field in Emmerhout.
The importance of International Women's Day
Alderman Guido Rink emphasized the importance of the Lies van Urk Prize and International Women's Day. “We must continue working together toward a fair and inclusive future for everyone.”
About the Lies van Urk Prize
Lies van Urk was the first female alderman in the municipality of Emmen. In her professional and personal life, she was a strong advocate for emancipation. She passed away suddenly during a meeting at the town hall in 1990. The Lies van Urk Prize was established in her memory.