Short Description
Is this still real or already unreal? How much “reality” can there be in a work of art? How real can it depict life? And is it even supposed to be? These and similar questions that arise when it comes to the topic of “representational” art will soon have to be faced again by the jury of the Advancement Award. Because the sponsorship award of the Lake Constance district is currently being announced for the ninth time – and as early as March 2026 there will be a new exhibition “jung + gegenständlich” in the Galerie Bodenseekreis in Meersburg.
Eligibility
Until November 16, 2025, young artists residing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland have the opportunity to apply for the Förderpreis des Bodenseekreises. They must not be older than 35 in the coming year and must have undergone or completed artistic training. The three works to be submitted must be representational and executed in painting or drawing – a theme is not predetermined.
- Artists who will not be older than 35 years in 2026 are eligible to participate.
- Participants must be enrolled in an art school, university, university of applied sciences, or academy of fine arts in Germany, Switzerland, or Austria, or hold a degree in “Fine Arts” from such institutions.
- Current residence must be in Germany, Switzerland, or Austria.
- Three artworks must be submitted. They must be representational, either drawn or painted. No specific theme is required.
- Artworks must not exceed 200 x 200 cm.
- Artworks must be no older than two years. They must not be submitted to any other competition simultaneously and must not have won any previous prize.
- Canvases must be stretched on frames when delivered or must be stretched/un-stretched by the participant at the Bodenseekreis Gallery.
- Artworks delivered after the deadline cannot be accepted.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
- The prize money for the sponsorship award is €4,000. It may be split between two recipients. The jury decides on the awarding of the prize.
- The sponsorship award is associated with an exhibition at Galerie Fähnle in Überlingen, scheduled for the year following the prize award.
- There is a public prize of €1,000. The public selects their favorite artist (up to about two weeks before the end of the exhibition). If the public chooses the same artist as the jury, the public prize is awarded to the artist with the second-highest number of public votes.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Salem, Southern Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 16 November 2025
Website Link: https://www.bodenseekreis.de/aktuelles/artikel/2025/07/jung-gegenstaendlich-bewerbung-um-kunst-foerderpreis-2026-ab-sofort-moeglich/
