The PinchukArtCentre announces establishing the nationwide prize in contemporary art for young Ukrainian artists. The PinchukArtCentre Prize is first privately funded prize in Ukraine, aimed at creating, supporting and developing a new generation of young Ukrainian artists.

Eckhard Schneider, General Manager of the PinchukArtCentre, says:«By setting up the Prize, the PinchukArtCentre strives to heighten the interest in contemporary art and to create „the critical mass“ of young artists, discovering new names for Ukraine and the whole world. The aim of the PinchukArtCentre Prize is contributing to converting Kyiv into one of the greatest cultural centres of today’s world, not only exhibiting, but giving birth to the best contemporary art creations. We believe that the new generation of artists does exist in Ukraine, and we do believe in their future».

The PinchukArtCentre Prize shall be awarded to the best Ukrainian artists aged under 35, every two years starting from 2009. The artists, working with any genre of contemporary art, may apply for the competition. The nominees’ selection procedure is quite open. Submission of works for the competition shall only be performed in on-line regime via Internet site of the programme: www.prize.pinchukartcentre.org

The Principal Prize, two Special Prizes and the «People’s Choice Prize» shall be awarded within the framework of the PinchukArtCentre Prize:

• The Principal PinchukArtCentre Prize is UAH 100 000 and includes the paid internship in the workshops of the world leading artists;
• Two Special PinchukArtCentre Prizes is UAH 25 000 each and include the paid internship in the workshops of the world leading artists;
• The «People’s Choice Prize» is UAH 10 000.

Dmitry Logvin, Managing Director of the PinchukArtCentre, Project Director for the PinchukArtCentre Prize, says: «The new, unique opportunities and incentives are now being opened before young Ukrainian artists, for yet before the Prize winners are announces, 12 short-list participants are going to present their works within the special exhibition in PinchukArtCentre. It is also important that the internships shall be chosen individually, depending on the genre and techniques used by the artist».

One artist (or a group of artists) may apply from 3 to 7 works for the competition. The applications should be submitted according to the PinchukArtCentre Prize Rules. The primary selection shall be performed by the Expert Committee, which includes Eckhard Schneider (General Manager of the PinchukArtCentre), Peter Doroshenko (Art Director), Alexander Solovyov (Curator). According to decision made by the Committee, a short-list of 12 candidates shall be formed, whose works shall be presented within the special exhibition in the PinchukArtCentre.

The Principal and Special Prize winners shall be named by the International Jury of PinchukArtCentre Prize, uniting the world leading contemporary art experts, such as artists, museum directors, curators and critics. The Jury Members shall be announced in the moment of opening the exhibition for the works of short-listed participants. The decision shall be taken by simple majority of votes among International Jury Members. The winner of the «People’s Choice Prize» shall be determined by voting of the visitors, attending the Prize exhibition project.