Organizer Information
The Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ) at Ruhr University Bochum is a leading institution in Germany dedicated to mental health care, research, and therapy. Treating up to 4,000 patients annually, the FBZ integrates the "Psyche, Kunst und Gesundheit" (Psyche, Art, and Health) concept into its clinical practice. Since 2018, the center has hosted the FBZ Art Award to build a bridge between the world of clinical psychology and contemporary art, aiming to destigmatize mental illness and foster an appreciative environment for patients and practitioners alike.
Title & Description
FBZ Art Award 2026: Art for Mental Health
The FBZ Art Award is an annual competition and exhibition program that seeks works of art centered on the theme of mental health. The program aims to bring high-quality art into the clinical environment, where patients encounter the works daily during their treatment. The goal is to provoke dialogue, offer new perspectives on mental health and therapy, and provide a prestigious platform for artists who wish to contribute to the social destigmatization of mental disorders. The selected shortlist is exhibited for two months at the "Bochumer Fenster" facility.
Categories
The award is open to a wide range of visual media, including:
- Painting and Drawing
- Graphic Art and Printmaking
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Installation Art (Note: Works requiring electricity or posing a safety risk to patients cannot be exhibited. The size must be appropriate for public treatment center rooms.)
Eligibility
- Geographic: Artists must be residents of a country within the European Union (EU).
- Professional Status: Open to "trained artists," defined as individuals with a university degree in Fine Arts (or a comparable professional exhibition history).
- Personal Background: Personal experience with mental illness or therapy is not a requirement or prerequisite for participation.
- Re-application: Former nominees and participants are welcome to apply again.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Cash Prize: A total prize of up to €10,000. The jury typically awards the full amount to one winner, though it may be split in exceptional cases.
- Exhibition Opportunity: Shortlisted artists (approx. 10-12) participate in a high-visibility two-month group exhibition at the FBZ in Bochum.
- Collection Acquisition: The winning artwork is purchased and incorporated into the permanent FBZ Art Collection, associated with the Ruhr University Bochum collections.
- Shipping Subsidy: Shortlisted artists receive a transport allowance of up to €600 for the delivery and return of their works.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Submissions must be made digitally in a single PDF file (named Surname_FirstName_WorkTitle.pdf), including:
- Application Form: A completed and signed entry form (available on the website).
- CV: A brief artistic curriculum vitae (max. 1 page).
- Portfolio: A brief overview of previous works (max. 5 images).
- Work for Evaluation: Clear documentation of the specific work being submitted for the award (can be a single work or a series).
- Artist Statement (Optional): A brief text contextualizing the work in relation to the theme of mental health.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 7 February 2026
- Exhibition Opening: 12 May 2026
- Award Ceremony: 8 July 2026
Location
Bochumer Fenster, Bochum, Germany
Additional Details
- Patient Interaction: Artists should consider that their works will be displayed in a clinical setting where patients (including children and adults) interact with them daily; works should be sensitive to this context.
- Insurance: It is important to note that works are generally not separately insured by the venue during the exhibition; however, the building has security and controlled access.
- Language: Applications are accepted in both German and English.