Every two years, the state capital of Mainz awards a prize worth 5,000 euros to support visual artists from Mainz. This year’s nominees are:

• Ronia Adl-Tabatabai
• Ji Heaun Kweon
• Maxi Merlin
• Leonard Schlöder

The nominated artists will showcase their works in a group exhibition from August 14 to September 12, 2026, at “Apollo,” Boppstraße 42, 55118 Mainz. 

Exhibition Opening

The group exhibition will open on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at “Apollo.” Welcome
remarks: Ata Delbasteh, Head of the Department of Culture for the State Capital of Mainz
Introduction: Advisory Board for Fine Arts
Reception

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony for the 2026 Prize for the Promotion of Visual Artists in Mainz will take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

Opening Remarks: Ata Delbasteh, Head of the Department of Culture for the State Capital of Mainz
Laudatory
Speech Acceptance Speech by the Award Winner
Reception

Tour with the nominated artists

Saturday, July 29, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

The nominated artists will guide visitors through the exhibition and engage in conversation with the audience.

Exhibition hours: 

• Friday, August 14, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 20, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
• Friday, August 21, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 22, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 27, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, August 28, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 29, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 4, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 5, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 11, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 12, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The prize for promoting Mainz-based visual artists was established in 1962 on the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of the state capital Mainz. The first winners were painter and object artist Hugo Jamin and painter Heinz Prüstel. The prize is intended to promote the award-winning artists, encourage them in their artistic work, and facilitate their creative endeavors.

Visual artists from Mainz are defined as anyone born in the Mainz city area on the right or left bank of the Rhine, who has lived here for more than three years or who has completed a degree in art in Mainz and is actively working as an artist. The candidates proposed by the Advisory Board for Fine Arts of the State Capital provide an insight into their artistic work in a group exhibition. During the exhibition, a jury decides which of the nominees will receive the award.

• 1962 Hugo Jamin
• 1962 Heinz Prüstel
• 1965 Theodor Ignaz Graffé
• 1967 Gertrude Degenhardt
• 1969 Dieter Magnus
• 1971 Rainer Zimmermann
• 1973 Liesel Metten
• 1975 Peter Nölle
• 1977 Susanne Ritter
• 1979 Josef H. Lutz
• 1981 Erich Maas
• 1983 Gerd O. Stegner
• 1985 Heiner Thiel
• 1987 Silvia Schreiber
• 1989 Sigrid Schewior
• 1991 Andreas Nicolai
• 1993 Birgit Kratzheller
• 1995 Mario Hergueta
• 1997 Erica von Moeller
• 1999 Cora Volz
• 2001 Christoph Lahl
• 2003 Ulrich Schreiber
• 2005 Klaus Lomnitzer
• 2007 Annette Hollywood
• 2009 Jürgen Krause
• 2011 Erik Schmelz
• 2014 Geckeis & Walz
• 2016 Catrin Collisi
• 2018 Ivana Matić
• 2020 Lukas Gartiser
• 2022 Franziska Cusminus
• 2024 Laetitia Eskens and Danijel Sijakovic