Serpentine and FLAG Art Foundation establish £200,000 biennial prize for emerging artists

A major new contemporary art prize offering £200,000 to selected artists has been launched through a decade-long partnership between London's Serpentine and New York's FLAG Art Foundation. The biennial award will identify artists who have exhibited professionally for under ten years and are expanding their international reach. Each chosen artist will present solo exhibitions at both institutions, accompanied by a catalogue and live programming. Hans Ulrich Obrist, artistic director of the Serpentine, described it as the UK's largest contemporary art prize, emphasizing its focus on artists lacking sufficient visibility. Glenn Fuhrman, founder of The FLAG Art Foundation, noted this represents FLAG's most substantial commitment to artists outside the United States. A rotating jury of curators, art historians, and artists will make selections through a nomination process. The inaugural artist will be chosen in 2026, with exhibitions scheduled at the Serpentine in autumn 2027 and at FLAG in spring 2028.