Organizer Information
The MONOM – Stiftung für Veränderung (MONOM Foundation for Change) is a German non-profit foundation committed to fostering social justice and critical engagement. Its core mission is to support individuals and initiatives that address issues such as racism, antisemitism, sexism, and the legacy of National Socialism.
Through its funding programs, MONOM supports a range of artistic, academic, and social projects that promote equality and encourage reflective confrontation with historical and current societal conflicts.
Its funding practices emphasize transparency, equal opportunity, and ethical responsibility: applicants are evaluated not only for artistic merit but also for the social relevance and critical stance of their work.
Title & Description
MONOM Kunstpreis (MONOM Art Prize)
The MONOM Kunstpreis is an art prize awarded by the MONOM Foundation to support emerging visual artists at the transition point between academic training and professional practice. The prize is specifically designed for students in their final year at a state art university in Germany or recent graduates (those who completed their studies in the preceding year).
The aim of the prize is not just to reward artistic excellence, but to elevate work that engages critically with society. Submissions should reflect a thoughtful, socially engaged perspective, tackling themes such as inequality, systemic ideologies, and historical or ongoing conflicts. In particular, the foundation encourages work that addresses antisemitism, racism, misogyny, or grapples with the continuing consequences of National Socialism.
A jury selects up to three laureates, offering them not only financial support but also an opportunity for professional development — including participation in a career-building workshop.
Categories
- Visual / Fine Art
- Contemporary Art
- Digital Art (video, if relevant)
- Analog (painting, sculpture, installation)
Eligibility
- Students: Those enrolled at a state (public) art university in Germany, in their final year (i.e., graduating in the year of application).
- Recent graduates: Artists who completed their art studies at a state university in the previous year.
- Mediums accepted: Open to visual art in all its forms — analog and digital artworks are allowed.
- Collaborative or solo projects: Submissions can come from an individual artist or a group.
- Thematic requirement: Works should critically engage with ideologies of inequality (e.g., racism, antisemitism, misogyny) or explore the ramifications of historical injustice (e.g., National Socialism).
- Exclusions: Performing arts (dance, theatre), literature, music, and non-art film (e.g., feature films) are not eligible.
- Age or nationality: Not explicitly restricted to nationality, but institutional eligibility is tied to German state art universities. There is no mention of an age limit. (IGBK call mentions “international” but primary eligibility remains linked to German art students.)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Prize Money: A total of €9,000 is awarded across up to three winners.
- Professional Development: All prize recipients are offered participation in a career-development workshop with Brigit Effinger, aimed at helping them navigate the transition to a professional art practice.
- Visibility & Recognition: Being selected by MONOM brings prestige and recognition within socially engaged art circles; winners may also benefit from the foundation’s network. (While not a physical exhibition, the recognition can lead to further opportunities.)
Application Fee
No Entry fee
Application Requirements
- Cover Sheet
- Use the official MONOM application cover sheet. Include personal details: name, postal address, email, study institution, website, or social media if available. Titles of the submitted artwork(s).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 1–2 pages. Focus on art education, studies, practice, and any socially engaged work.
- Essay
- Up to 3 pages (text). The essay should articulate the applicant’s perspective on the role of art in society, their personal position as an artist, and how their work reflects or challenges their understanding of inequality and historical responsibility.
- Use clear, accessible language — no bullet-point lists; build an argument, refer to practice, context.
- Art Work Documentation
- A one-page description of each submitted work: title, materials, date, and context.
- Visual documentation: images, video links, or online links. If available, submit links to online versions; if the work is physical, submit high-quality photos.
- For video works: provide URL, possibly password if restricted.
- Statement of Motivation / Context
- Explain why the work was made, what societal questions it addresses, and why this piece is chosen for submission.
- Describe how the submitted work fits the thematic focus (inequality, historical injustice).
- File Format & Formalities
- All documents should be combined into one PDF.
- Use at least font size 11, and set minimum margins of 2 cm on each page.
- Name the file in the format:
2026_Vorname_Nachname_Kunstpreis.pdf(or appropriate year/name).
How to Apply
The application must be sent to antrag@monom-stiftung.org as a PDF attachment by e-mail with the subject line MONOM Art Prize. Postal submissions will not be considered.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
- Notification Date: around June 2026
Location
Leipzig, Germany
Additional Details
- The MONOM Stiftung explicitly excludes individuals or organizations that promote discriminatory ideologies (based on age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background, religion, etc.).
- Support is only granted if applications comply strictly with the formal guidelines; non-conforming applications (wrong file format, missing documents) will not be considered.
- All submitted materials are treated confidentially. After the process, applications from non-recipients are destroyed (per the foundation’s privacy policy).
- By applying, you agree to the foundation’s ethical and legal principles, including non-discrimination.
- Names of winners, their study institutions, and references to submitted artworks are publicly announced by MONOM.
Website Link: https://www.monom-stiftung.org/ausschreibungen/kunstpreis
