Krupa Art Foundation announces a new edition of KAF Young Prize, an international competition dedicated to emerging artists from across Europe. Following the success of the inaugural edition, which attracted over 1,600 submissions, the competition has been expanded and now embraces a broader range of artistic practices.

For the 2026 edition, artists are invited to apply in three categories: painting, digital art, and sculpture and installation. The open call runs until 31 March 2026, and three artists selected by the international jury will each receive a €12,000 prize.

KAF Young Prize is part of Krupa Art Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting contemporary artists at an early stage of their careers. The competition aims to highlight outstanding and innovative artistic positions, artists sensitive to world problems, encourage experimentation and bold creative decisions, and provide artists with the conditions to further develop their practice without the pressure of immediate economic constraints. 

By awarding the prizes and organising a major exhibition of the finalists’ works, the Foundation seeks to recognise the most compelling artistic developments of the last two years across diverse media, while also increasing the visibility of young artists within and beyond the art world.

Expanded focus

The competition is open to adult artists, as well as students and graduates of art academies, up to 36 years of age (born after March 31, 1990 and before January 1, 2008). Submitted works must have been created within the last two years and correspond to one of the three competition categories.

Finalists will be selected from submissions received by 31 March 2026. Their works will be presented in a final exhibition held in autumn 2026 at Krupa Art Foundation in Wrocław.

Three equal prizes

KAF Young Prize challenges the traditional competition model by awarding three equal main prizes, rather than selecting a single winner. Each laureate will receive €12,000. All other finalists will be granted an exhibition fee of €400 for their participation in the final exhibition. This approach reflects the Foundation’s intention to support a wider group of artists and to promote artistic diversity rather than hierarchical ranking.

About Krupa Art Foundation

Krupa Art Foundation is an independent contemporary art institution founded by Sylwia and Piotr Krupa and located in the heart of Wrocław (Poland). The Foundation’s programme focuses on the presentation and promotion of contemporary art, with particular attention to artists from Central and Eastern Europe. Krupa Art Foundation run by Katarzyna Młyńczak–Sachs is also an active collector focused on discovering emerging artists across Europe.

Its headquarters comprise several exhibition spaces across three floors, an immersive room dedicated to multimedia projects, a children’s area, an art bookshop and a café. Alongside temporary exhibitions by Polish and international artists, the Foundation also presents selected works from the Sylwia and Piotr Krupa Collection, featuring key figures of 20th- and 21st-century Polish art.

For more information, visit www.youngartprize.krupaartfoundation.pl/2026