In 2026, the state capital of Mainz will award the “Prize for the Promotion of Visual Artists in Mainz” for the 33rd time. This year’s nominees are Ronia Adl-Tabatabai, Ji Heaun Kweon, Maxi Merlin, and Leonard Schlöder, who will offer a glimpse into their artistic work through a group exhibition running from August 14 to September 12, 2026, at the “Apollo” exhibition space in the Ollohof (Boppstraße 42, Mainz-Neustadt).

Ata Delbasteh, Head of the Department of Culture, will open the group exhibition together with the nominees and representatives of the city’s Advisory Board for the Visual Arts on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. 

About the Prize

Every two years, the state capital of Mainz awards the prize, endowed with 5,000 euros, to support visual artists from Mainz; the prize was established in 1962 to mark the city’s 2,000th anniversary. The first recipients were the painter and object artist Hugo Jamin and the painter Heinz Prüstel.

The prize is intended to support the honored artists, encourage them in their artistic work, and facilitate their creative endeavors. Artists from Mainz are defined as those born within the city limits of Mainz—on both the right and left banks of the Rhine—who have resided here for more than three years or who are engaged in artistic work and have completed a degree in art in Mainz.

The candidates nominated by the State Capital’s Advisory Board for Fine Arts traditionally present an overview of their artistic work in a group exhibition. 

During the exhibition, a selection jury decides which of the nominees will ultimately receive the award. The 2026 jury consists of representatives from the city council factions, the Art Advisory Board, and two external art experts. 

This year, Ina Neddermeyer (Frankfurt am Main) and Ameli Klein (Ludwigshafen) have been invited to participate. 

The jury is chaired by Ata Delbasteh, Head of the Department of Culture.

Dates

Opening of the group exhibition:

Thursday, August 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

Award Ceremony:
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

For additional dates, opening hours, and more information, visit: https://www.mainz.de/angebote-entdecken/kultur/kulturelle-preise/preis-zur-foerderung-mainzer-bildender-kuenstlerinnen-und-kuenstler.