STRABAG SE, which has built unbreakable bridges between the art world and the business world, has announced the open call for the 2026 edition of its now-traditional STRABAG Art Award. First launched in 1994 on a local level in Austria and transformed since 2009 into a prestigious international platform across Europe, this competition continues to serve as a springboard in the careers of young artists.
Application Conditions and Scope
This year’s competition focuses on the fields of painting and drawing, in keeping with the dynamic nature of contemporary art. However, the jury encourages free reinterpretation of these disciplines within current artistic practices. The main criteria for the award are as follows:
- Age Limit: Artists must not have reached the age of 40.
- Country Requirement: Applications are open to artists from Germany, Slovenia, and Austria. Candidates must be citizens of one of these three countries or have resided in one of them for at least two years.
Prizes and Jury
The STRABAG Art Award offers not only prestige but also substantial financial support:
- First Prize: €16,000
- Four Honourable Mentions: €8,000 each
Additional Benefits: Winning artists’ works may be acquired for the STRABAG Art Collection, and each laureate is given the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at STRABAG House in Vienna.
The jury comprises some of Europe’s leading curators and art experts: Anna-Catharina Gebbers (Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin), Alenka Gregorič (Cukrarna, Ljubljana), and Angela Stief (Albertina Modern, Vienna).
Last Year’s Winners as Inspiration
Last year, Haakon Neubert won the main prize with his bold acrylic works. The honourable mentions awarded to Emma Hummerhielm Carlén and Maximilian Prüfer once again demonstrated the competition’s broad aesthetic range—from mixed techniques to pure painting.
Timeline and Application
The deadline for artists to submit their portfolios is 26 January 2026. The award ceremony and exhibition opening, where the winners will be announced, will take place on 25 June 2026 in Vienna.
Applications can be submitted online via strabag.art.
