KVOST and Claus Michaletz Preis 2026 Open Call for Artists with Central/Eastern European Roots
Kunstverein Ost (KVOST) has announced its 2026 KVOST Stipendium, which is combined with the Claus Michaletz Preis. The 10,000 Euros prize honors publisher and Secco Pontanova Foundation founder Claus Michaletz. This funding supports artists whose biographical origins are in Central and Eastern Europe or the former Eastern Bloc. Recipients receive a Berlin artist residency followed by a solo exhibition at KVOST. Works should explore the meanings of Leipziger Strasse/Dönhoffplatz or other eastern geographical and biographical themes. The resulting exhibition will launch during Berlin Art Week in September 2026. Applications are due by April 17, 2026, with materials available on KVOST's website. Previous awardees include Vlad Nancă (2019), Cristina Ferreira-Szwarc (2020), Olena Pronkina (2022), Larisa Sitar (2023), Magdalena Ciemierkiewicz (2024), and David Apakidze (2025). Founded in 2018, KVOST focuses on promoting artists from or influenced by Central and Eastern Europe.
Key facts
- The KVOST Stipendium and Claus Michaletz Preis 2026 offer a 10,000 Euro prize.
- Applications close on April 17, 2026.
- The award includes a Berlin residency and a solo exhibition at KVOST.
- The exhibition will open during Berlin Art Week in September 2026.
- Eligible artists must have biographical roots in Central and Eastern Europe or the former Eastern Bloc.
- The prize commemorates Claus Michaletz, publisher and founder of the Secco Pontanova Foundation.
- KVOST was established in 2018 to support artists from Central and Eastern Europe.
- Previous scholarship holders include artists from Romania, Portugal, Ukraine, Poland, and Georgia.
Entities
Artists
- Vlad Nancă
- Cristina Ferreira-Szwarc
- Olena Pronkina
- Larisa Sitar
- Magdalena Ciemierkiewicz
- David Apakidze
- Claus Michaletz
Institutions
- Kunstverein Ost
- KVOST
- Secco Pontanova Foundation
- NEWEAST
- Kunstverein Ost (KVOST)
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Central and Eastern Europe
- Eastern Bloc
- Leipziger Strasse
- Dönhoffplatz
- Romania
- Portugal
- Ukraine
- Poland
- Georgia
- Central Europe
- Eastern Europe