ABCA 2026 Awards: Regional Diversity and Institutional Recognition
The 2026 awards from the Brazilian Association of Art Critics (ABCA) were revealed, highlighting the importance of diversity in Brazil's visual arts scene. Among the honorees are Sônia Salzstein, recipient of the Mário de Andrade Award, and Maria Bonomi for her exhibition "A arte de amar, a arte de resistir," which earned the Paulo Mendes de Almeida Award. Gê Viana was honored with the Mário Pedrosa Award, while Renata Bittencourt took home the Ciccillo Matarazzo Award. Cristiana Tejo received the Sérgio Milliet Award for "A gênese da curadoria no Brasil." Regional accolades went to Paula Sampaio (North), FARGO (Central-West), and Fundação Vera Chaves Barcellos (South). The Antônio Bento Award was given to Projeto Afro. The awards ceremony is scheduled for August 27 at 7 PM at Teatro Antunes Filho in São Paulo, where Mônica Ventura's trophy will be unveiled alongside her solo exhibition opening on May 26.
Key facts
- ABCA announced 2026 awards recognizing diversity in Brazilian visual arts.
- Sônia Salzstein won Mário de Andrade Award for criticism trajectory.
- Maria Bonomi's exhibition won Paulo Mendes de Almeida Award for best exhibition.
- Gê Viana won Mário Pedrosa Award for contemporary artist.
- Renata Bittencourt won Ciccillo Matarazzo Award for educational work at IMS.
- Cristiana Tejo won Sérgio Milliet Award for published research.
- Regional awards: Paula Sampaio (North), FARGO (Central-West), Fundação Vera Chaves Barcellos (South).
- Ceremony on August 27 at Sesc Vila Mariana, São Paulo; trophy by Mônica Ventura.
Entities
Artists
- Maria Bonomi
- Gê Viana
- Paula Sampaio
- Mônica Ventura
- Marlene Almeida
- Bitu Cassundé
- Luiz Braga
Institutions
- Associação Brasileira de Críticos de Arte (ABCA)
- Instituto Moreira Salles (IMS)
- FARGO – Feira de Arte de Goiás
- Fundação Vera Chaves Barcellos (FVCB)
- Projeto Afro
- Centro Cultural São Paulo
- Paço Imperial
- Galeria Nara Roesler
- Sesc Vila Mariana
- Centro Cultural do Cariri
- Associação Internacional de Críticos de Arte (AICA)
Locations
- Brazil
- São Paulo
- Rio de Janeiro
- Porto Alegre
- Viamão
- Belém
- Goiás
- Santa Catarina
- Maranhão
- Pará