Brandenburg Art Prize Now Biennial, Announces 2026 Winners

The Brandenburg state government has revamped its art prize, which will now be awarded every two years instead of annually. The new format focuses on recognizing artistic positions rather than individual works, reflecting the multimedia nature of contemporary art. The prize ceremony will take place as a public festival at the Landesmuseum für moderne Kunst in Cottbus. Artists born in Brandenburg, living there, or producing art there can apply via a new digital platform. After a pause in 2025, 166 applications were received for 2026. Three main prizes of €10,000 each were awarded to Maren Strack, Peter Rohn, and Gabriele Konsor. Strack, who lives in Oberhavel, combines sculpture, performance, dance, film, and sound. Rohn, from Potsdam, paints vivid images of the city, described by the jury as 'reality images interspersed with imaginative dream scenarios.' Konsor creates drawings, installations, actions, and photographs in Havelland. Additionally, a lifetime achievement award of €15,000 went to Christa Jeitner, whose work was praised by Ulrike Kremeier, director of the Landesmuseum, as 'ageless' and of high quality. A €10,000 young talent prize was given to the artist collective of Lydia Schellhammer and Christ Mukenge. Culture Minister Manja Schüle emphasized the importance of supporting art, stating that 'in some places, art must justify why it should exist at all.'