The Gerald Pryor Art Award honors the 44 year legacy of Gerald Pryor as a professor, artist-in-residence, and head of photography in the Department of Art and Art Professions.
Gerald Pryor started the Department’s photo area in 1979 and went on to lead the photography program for the next four decades, inspiring and encouraging thousands of student artists. Pryor taught art in New York, Beijing, Shanghai, Venice, and Berlin until his death in 2023. Each year, this award supports Studio Art majors in their studies abroad and artistic practice at NYU Berlin.
Support the Gerald Pryor Art Award
Gifts to support the award and continue Pryor’s legacy may be made online or by using a printable gift form.
NYU is a registered 501(c)(3). Gifts are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. For more information, please email nyuart@nyu.edu or call 212-998-5700.
NYU is a registered 501(c)(3). Gifts are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. For more information, please email nyuart@nyu.edu or call 212-998-5700.
My time in Berlin through the award was truly transformative! The generous support allowed me to explore the city in a way I never could have otherwise—visiting museums, galleries, and design landmarks, including an unforgettable trip to the Bauhaus in Dessau. I was able to afford materials for my work, experiment freely with painting and building sculptures, and generally immerse myself in the artistic and cultural life of the city. The experience expanded not only my practice but also my understanding of how space, craft, and design intersect, and it continues to influence the way I approach both making and thinking about art today!
The Gerald Pryor Art Award has been extremely helpful in supporting my study abroad experience. Because of the award, I have been able to develop my project ideas without monetary constraints, which has allowed me to expand my practice even further. The projects that I am developing are a combination of painting and projection works that have to do with the concept of separation and humanity. In Berlin, I have been thinking about the significance of divided space, and how divisions between bodies, whether through walls or distance, can have unique implications for an individual trying to traverse them. I have never been this far from my family before, so that has made me think about this topic, along with the socio-political history of my study abroad city, Berlin. A highlight of my NYU-Berlin experience has been immersing myself in a culture different from the one I am used to and experiencing the tight-knit community NYU-Berlin offers.
I met Gerry as a student during my master’s program in photography in 1984. As a teacher, Gerry was loose, cool, and kind. He taught us to see photography as part of a broad context that included philosophy and critical theory. It was clear that Gerry really cared about his students and was 100% invested in teaching.
Related Pages
Exhibition and Award Honor Late Professor Gerald Pryor
Pryor passed away in February 2023 at the age of 76 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Study Away
The Steinhardt Studio Art Program partners with NYU-Berlin to provide an unparalleled studio experience for art majors.
Undergraduate Study Away
A defining part of the NYU experience is learning to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world. Through meaningful academic and cultural experiences, you'll deepen your understanding of both the world and yourself while building connections that extend far beyond the classroom.