Short Description
The Ennepe-Ruhr District is announcing the Ennepe-Ruhr Art Prize competition for the eighth time.
The Art Prize is awarded every two years and aims to promote regional artists.
The competition is announced based on a specific theme. The theme for the 2025 Art Prize is:
“Light and Shadow”
This year, the theme of the call is very broad and open to interpretation.
It allows for various conceptual and philosophical approaches, as well as experimental expressions in color and material.
The goal is to make the multiple layers of meaning in “Light and Shadow” tangible through artistic works and explorations.
Eligibility
Qualified artists from all disciplines are eligible to participate.
Qualification can be demonstrated through academic training and/or exhibitions or professional engagements.
Further requirements:
- The minimum age is 21 years.
- Applicants for the Art Prize must have a personal connection to the Ennepe-Ruhr district.
This means they were either born here, have their main residence here, or have spent a significant period of their life in the district.
Both individual and group applications are permitted.
Submission Requirements
- A cover letter with details about your personal connection to the Ennepe-Ruhr district and an explanation of how your work relates to the theme.
- An artist biography, including a list of publications/exhibitions from the past 3 to 4 years.
- Each applicant may submit up to three works, which must be labeled with the artist’s name, title, year, technique, and dimensions.
- The submitted works should be no older than 3 years.
- Three photos (minimum 600 dpi) must be submitted for each work.
- For installations and objects, sketches and drafts must be submitted. For video presentations, corresponding video files in standard image, text, and video formats (max. 90 MB; alternatively, DVDs) must be included.
- You may also submit links from services such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
From all applications, a professional jury led by Christoph Kohl, Director of the Märkisches Museum Witten, will select up to 20 artists.
Their works will be exhibited at the Hattingen City Museum from December 2025 to January 2026.
The participating artists will receive an expense allowance of 200 euros.
At the same time, they agree to make their artworks available for the exhibition at no additional cost, and to handle transportation, setup/installation, and dismantling themselves.
The Ennepe-Ruhr District Art Prize will be awarded in the form of three equal prizes,
each endowed with 1,500 euros.
The awards will be presented during a ceremony on December 5, 2025, at the Hattingen City Museum.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Schwelm, Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2025