Aesthetica Art Prize 2026

Now marking its 20th anniversary, the Aesthetica Art Prize stands as an international platform for contemporary art, amplifying voices that shape and challenge the cultural conditions of the present-day. Over two decades, it has become a space where artistic practice is activated as well as exhibited – supporting careers, fostering global dialogue, and championing work that responds directly to the urgencies of now. In 2026, the 20 shortlisted and 150+ longlisted artists respond to interconnected pressures shaping contemporary life: accelerating technologies that reshape perception and truth; the legacies of colonial histories and their impact on identity and belonging; and ecological systems under strain. We invite you to discover their practice – across digital, film, installation, mixed media, painting, photography and sculpture – and be inspired by what you find.