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Vor einem goldenen Hintergrund steht der Schriftzug
© Fachbereich Kultur

Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026

In 2026, the Neuköllner Kunstpreis will be awarded for the tenth time – a special occasion to celebrate the diversity, quality, and experimental spirit of the arts in Neukölln!

With its many studios and art spaces, Neukölln is a vibrant and important hub of the contemporary art scene. The Department of Culture honors this with the annual presentation of the Neuköllner Kunstpreis. In cooperation with the Kulturnetzwerk Neukölln e. V. and the STADT UND LAND housing association, outstanding artists from Neukölln are awarded a total of 6,000 euros (1st Prize: 3,000 euros, 2nd Prize: 2,000 euros, 3rd Prize: 1,000 euros). STADT UND LAND also awards a special purchase prize.

A group exhibition at the Galerie im Saalbau presents the works of the artists nominated by a six-member professional jury, offering visitors an authentic insight into the diversity and quality of artistic production in Neukölln.

Nominated for Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026 were: Rula Ali, Anita Esfandiari, Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi, Uladzimir Hramovich, Selma Laura Köran, Maryna Makarenko, muSa michelle mattiuzzi und Tatsuma Takeda.

In a festive ceremony at the Heimathafen Neukölln, the following prizes were awarded on February 13, 2026 by Janine Wolter, City Councillor for Culture:

  1. Preis – 3.000 Euro: Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi: „Monument of Second Skin“
  2. Preis – 2.000 Euro: Selma Laura Köran: „Total Siege of the Sky“
  3. Preis – 1.000 Euro: Maryna Makarenko: „Sun Eaters“

Acquisition prize by STADT UND LAND by STADT UND LAND Wohnbauten-Gesellschaft mbH: Anita Esfandiari.

The jury members are:

  • Sven Beckstette (Curator, Hamburger Bahnhof – National Gallery of Contemporary Art)
  • Claudia von Funcke (Artist and winner of the Neukölln Art Prize 2018)
  • Yolanda Kaddu-Mulindwa (Director of the Municipal Galleries Neukölln)
  • Kat Nowak (Festival director 48 Hours Neukölln)
  • Ceren Saner (Artist and winner of the Neukölln Art Prize 2024)
  • Laura Helena Wurth (Art critic and writer)

Curatorial Assistant: Johanna Engemann

Exhibition from February 14 to April 19, 2026

Curated by Nina Marlene Kraus
Participating artists
  • Rula Ali
  • Anita Esfandiari
  • Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi
  • Uladzimir Hramovich
  • Selma Laura Köran
  • Maryna Makarenko
  • muSa michelle mattiuzzi
  • Tatsuma Takeda
Installation view Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026, works by Tatsuma Takeda and muSa michelle mattiuzzi Installation view of the Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026 featuring people and the work People at the exhibition opening. On display in the foreground is part of the work by musa michelle mattiuzzi and in the background the work by Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi. People are looking at the exhibition. A visitor sits on a green cushion and watches the video of Maryna Makarenko's work “Sun Eaters.” A hall lit in red with a stage at the far end. People fill the hall. People sit in his hall under red lighting. Janine Wolter, District Councilor for Education, Culture, and Sport, speaks on stage. Several people are standing on a stage. The winners of the art prize are holding their awards in their hands. Gallery staff, the nominated artists, and the members of the jury stand on a stage. The nominees for the art prize, the curator, the gallery director, and the department head are standing on a stage. In front of them, several people are sitting on chairs facing the stage.
Events
    • Ausstellungsrundgang
    • Artist Talk
    Saturday
    07.03.26
    3:00 pm

    Guided exhibtion tour with the curator and artists

    Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026

    In a joint conversation with the artists Selma Laura Köran and Tatsuma Takeda, Nina Marlene Kraus and Johanna Engemann guide visitors through the exhibition.

    Learn more
    Installationview of the Neuköllner Kunstpreis exhibition featuring works by Tatsuma Takeda and muSa michelle mattiuzzi
    Guided exhibtion tour with the curator and artists
    • Ausstellungsrundgang
    • Artist Talk
    Sunday
    19.04.26
    3:00 pm

    Guided exhibtion tour with the curator and artists

    Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026

    In a joint conversation with the artists Rula Ali, Anita Esfandiari, Uladzimir Hramovich and Maryna Makarenko, Nina Marlene Kraus and Johanna Engemann guide visitors through the exhibition.

    Learn more
    Installation view Neuköllner Kunstpreis 2026
    Guided exhibtion tour with the curator and artists