Organizer Information
The Dr. Franz and Astrid Ritter Foundation (Dr. Franz und Astrid Ritter-Stiftung) is a German foundation dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic endeavors, specifically focusing on Visual Arts (Bildende Kunst) within the Lower Bavaria (Niederbayern) region. Through its Cultural Prize, the foundation aims to bring the regional art scene into the focus of wider, supra-regional attention and substantially support the artists in their work. The prize is managed in cooperation with the City of Straubing (Stadt Straubing).
Title & Description
Cultural Prize of the Dr. Franz and Astrid Ritter Foundation for Visual Arts 2026 (Kulturpreis der Dr. Franz und Astrid Ritter-Stiftung für Bildende Kunst 2026)
The Cultural Prize for Visual Arts is an established and prestigious award offered by the Dr. Franz and Astrid Ritter Foundation, with the core mission of supporting and promoting the visual arts rooted in the Lower Bavaria region of Germany. By selecting a distinguished artist or artist group, the foundation intends to elevate the profile of Niederbayerische Visual Arts, drawing focus and recognition from beyond the local area. This opportunity provides significant financial support to the award recipient(s) to sustain and advance their artistic practice. The prize is valued at €15,000, with the possibility for the expert jury to divide the sum among multiple recipients if deemed appropriate.
The selection process is rigorous, ensuring the chosen recipients demonstrate a strong, verifiable connection to the Lower Bavaria region. The process includes a review of submitted portfolios and may involve a studio tour (Ateliertour) where the jury visits selected artists in their workspace within Niederbayern. This hands-on approach ensures a deep understanding of the artist's work and environment. The culmination of the award is a public prize ceremony (Preisverleihung) accompanied by a dedicated exhibition of the winner’s works at the Weytterturm in Straubing, providing the artists with institutional exhibition experience and public visibility. The foundation retains the right to reproduce and exhibit the prize-winning works for reporting purposes related to the jury decision and the associated exhibition, ensuring the widest possible recognition of the artist's achievement.
Categories
Visual Art (Bildende Kunst): Encompassing disciplines within the fine arts, excluding literature, performance, etc.
Eligibility
- Regional/National: Open to any Visual Artist (or artist group) who can prove a verifiable connection to Lower Bavaria (Niederbayern), Germany. The jury reserves the right to review and judge this connection.
- Exclusions: The call is not directed at students of art or pupils.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Cash Prize: The prize is endowed with €15,000 (Euro). The jury has the discretion to divide this amount among one or more winners.
- Exhibition Opportunity: The winner(s) are featured in a public exhibition at the Weytterturm Straubing following the award ceremony.
- Public Recognition: The award includes a public prize ceremony and associated press coverage designed to bring regional art into "supra-regional attention."
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Fill the APPLICATION FORM – please use only this form of the foundation for applications: either fill out by hand or directly on the screen, sign, and send it with the attachments.
The submission should not be sent to the Foundation Office, but exclusively to:
Dr. Franz and Astrid Ritter Foundation
c/o City of Straubing
Office of the Lord Mayor
Theresienplatz 2
94315 Straubing
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 January 2026
Location
Weytterturm Straubing, Germany
Additional Details
- Jury Composition: The winner(s) are selected by a three-person expert jury according to the foundation's statutes, consisting of representatives from:
- The City of Straubing (Stadt Straubing).
- The Association of Visual Artists Straubing (Gemeinschaft Bildender Künstler Straubing - GbK).
- The Professional Association of Visual Artists Lower Bavaria (BBK Niederbayern).
- Studio Visits: Individual artists may be visited by the jury on the specified date (February 22, 2026) as part of a studio tour in the Lower Bavaria region.
- Legal: The jury's decision is final, and legal recourse is excluded.
- Copyright/Usage: By submitting the application, artists accept the terms that the foundation has the right to publish and exhibit reproductions of the works in connection with reporting on the jury decision and the exhibition.