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YLA (Young Luxembourgish Artists) is a platform founded in 2021 by Lou Philipps and Gerard Valerius, the founders of Valerius Gallery (est. 2017). Inspired by the legacy of the YBAs (Young British Artists) of the 1980s, YLA was created to support and showcase emerging Luxembourgish artists at a pivotal moment in their careers — the transition between academia and the professional art world.

Each year, YLA organizes a major curated group exhibition featuring around 8–12 artists working across disciplines such as painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video art, and conceptual art. The exhibitions typically run for four weeks and take place in large-scale venues. The selected artists are by no means a collective of artists, and should not represent a canon in art, but rather present different perspectives and express themselves freely through different media. They deal with current issues and ask questions.

A key motivation behind YLA is to bring back Luxembourgish talents who study art abroad and often remain outside the country to pursue their careers. YLA reconnects these artists with their hometown and contributes to strengthening Luxembourg’s cultural landscape.

The platform introduces emerging artists to a diverse and engaged audience that includes collectors, gallerists, art institutions, and enthusiasts. Each edition is accompanied by a professionally produced catalogue presenting all participating artists and their work.

In addition to the main exhibition, YLA selects 1–3 artists each year for individual solo shows in pop-up locations, offering them further exposure and experience. YLA also cultivates a new generation of young collectors, many of whom purchase their first artwork through the platform at accessible price points.

YLA has launched a website featuring a comprehensive artist archive. More than just an exhibition series, YLA fosters a vibrant network for young creatives — a space for dialogue, connection, and artistic growth. Several former YLA artists have since been picked up by galleries and continued to exhibit their work professionally.

Curated annually by Lou Philipps, YLA stands as a key initiative in championing young Luxembourgish art and artists.