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about the award

The Annual Art Award of Latvia stands as a testament to the vital role of art in our culture – its power to unite, inspire, and shape our understanding of the world we live in. As the most significant annual recognition in the Latvian visual arts sector, the award aims to spotlight the year’s most notable events and figures, identify emerging trends, and foster the development of artistic processes. More than just a mark of distinction, it serves as a platform for engaging a broader audience and encouraging dialogue between art and society.

The award honours artists and art professionals who actively engage with, research, or contribute to the Latvian art scene. Prizes are given for exhibitions, artworks, publications, and other contributions that were realised, exhibited, or published during the eligible year. In evaluating submissions, the jury considers factors such as inclusivity regarding various social groups, sustainability, and the capacity of the work to provoke thought and co-learning. Judging criteria include: quality of content and form, contemporary relevance, societal resonance, originality, authenticity, and innovation. The evaluation process encompasses the entire Baltic region.

Initiated and founded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, the award is organised by Collective WW. The inaugural award ceremony will take place in the second half of April 2026. Winners in each category will receive a cash prize along with a specially designed award sculpture, created by artist Krišs Salmanis.

To ensure a comprehensive review of artistic processes, a wide-ranging overview of exhibitions, publications, and other art-related events is being compiled. At the same time, everyone is invited to submit information about art activities, particularly about projects abroad involving Latvian artists. 

Send the application to:

Jaunumi

Visi jaunumi

Nosaukti pirmās Latvijas Mākslas gada balvas uzvarētāji

Participatory Conversation Event: Feast of Strangers by Theodore Zeldin

  • Lasīt

Jaunumi

Visi jaunumi

Nosaukti pirmās Latvijas Mākslas gada balvas uzvarētāji

Participatory Conversation Event: Feast of Strangers by Theodore Zeldin

  • Lasīt

jury

Meet

2026
jury members

Aiga Dzalbe

Art Historian and Critic
A lecturer at the Art Academy of Latvia, Aiga Dzalbe has combined teaching and research with regular contributions to cultural publications since 1999. She also serves as an art expert for book design and exhibition competitions. Dzalbe was among the founders of the Riga Photography Biennial and the Association of Art Historians and Curators of Latvia. Her professional interests include Latvian and regional art history, contemporary artistic developments, art criticism, and issues regarding the lexicon and terminology of visual arts.

Anete Skuja

Art Historian, Contemporary Art Researcher/ Exhibition Curator at the Latvian National Museum of Art
Anete Skuja is an art historian, curator, and producer. She holds an MA in Curatorial Studies from the Art Academy of Latvia (2020). Her curatorial practice spans both contemporary art and the interpretation of cultural heritage, with a particular focus on photography and archival materials as carriers of collective memory. She has developed exhibition projects at the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art and the National Library of Latvia, and has served as a guest curator for ISSP School graduate exhibitions and projects of the Riga Photography Biennial.

Gundega Evelone

Artist and Art Critic
Gundega Evelone works as an artist, curator, exhibition designer and producer, workshop facilitator, illustrator, and art critic. Drawing on her wide-ranging experience in the cultural sector, she frequently collaborates with art and educational institutions to create experimental creative workshops. Evelone is a co-founder of the artists’ and researchers’ collective Practical Research Platform ART (PPPMāksla), which she continues to develop.

Inga Šteimane

Curator and Art Critic, Director of Art Station Dubulti
In 2015, Inga Šteimane founded Art Station Dubulti, an inclusive and experimental platform for contemporary art, which she continues to direct. She also founded and edited the weekly cultural newspaper Kultūras Forums (2002–2010). In 2017, she served as curator of the Latvian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Šteimane holds an MA from the Art History and Theory Department of the Art Academy of Latvia (1990/2016). Since 1990, she has written for cultural periodicals and exhibition catalogues, while also working as an expert for visual arts competitions and awards. Her curatorial practice is marked by an interest in in-depth interpretations of solo exhibitions.

Kristīne Krauze-Slucka

Visual Artist
Kristīne Krauze-Slucka is a visual artist whose conceptual practice unfolds between photography and physical objects, exploring the transformation of image and object as a space of sensory performativity. She holds an MA from the Visual Communication Department of the Art Academy of Latvia and was awarded the Nordic and Baltic Young Artist Grand Prix in 2020. In 2022, she was selected to participate in FUTURES, the European photography platform. She lectures and leads workshops at ISSP School.

Raivis Alksnis

Visual Arts Curator and Producer
Raivis Alksnis is co-founder of LOOK Art Gallery, heading its exhibition programme from 2019 to 2025. Since 2022, he has been the curator of JAUNmarka, the annual large-scale exhibition of students from the Art Academy of Latvia. He is also a member of the Visual Arts Expert Commission of the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia.

Vika Eksta

Artist and Photography Educator
Vika Eksta works across photography, analogue photographic processes, video, performance for camera, and audiovisual archive research. Her artistic practice engages with existential themes, autobiographical narratives, and the creative exploration of identity and historical trauma. She holds an MA from the Visual Communication Department of the Art Academy of Latvia and studied photography at EFTI in Madrid. She is currently pursuing a professional doctoral degree at the Art Academy of Latvia. Since 2014, her work has been exhibited in Latvia and internationally. She teaches lectures and workshops at the ISSP School and the RTJN Annas 2 Photography Studio.

Aiga Dzalbe

Mākslas vēsturniece un kritiķe
A lecturer at the Art Academy of Latvia, Aiga Dzalbe has combined teaching and research with regular contributions to cultural publications since 1999. She also serves as an art expert for book design and exhibition competitions. Dzalbe was among the founders of the Riga Photography Biennial and the Association of Art Historians and Curators of Latvia. Her professional interests include Latvian and regional art history, contemporary artistic developments, art criticism, and issues regarding the lexicon and terminology of visual arts.

Anete Skuja

Mākslas vēsturniece, Latvijas Nacionālā mākslas muzeja Laikmetīgās mākslas pētniece – izstāžu kuratore
Anete Skuja is an art historian, curator, and producer. She holds an MA in Curatorial Studies from the Art Academy of Latvia (2020). Her curatorial practice spans both contemporary art and the interpretation of cultural heritage, with a particular focus on photography and archival materials as carriers of collective memory. She has developed exhibition projects at the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art and the National Library of Latvia, and has served as a guest curator for ISSP School graduate exhibitions and projects of the Riga Photography Biennial.

Gundega Evelone

Māksliniece un mākslas kritiķe
Gundega Evelone works as an artist, curator, exhibition designer and producer, workshop facilitator, illustrator, and art critic. Drawing on her wide-ranging experience in the cultural sector, she frequently collaborates with art and educational institutions to create experimental creative workshops. Evelone is a co-founder of the artists’ and researchers’ collective Practical Research Platform ART (PPPMāksla), which she continues to develop.

Inga Šteimane

Mākslas kuratore un kritiķe, Mākslas stacijas “Dubulti” direktore
In 2015, Inga Šteimane founded Art Station Dubulti, an inclusive and experimental platform for contemporary art, which she continues to direct. She also founded and edited the weekly cultural newspaper Kultūras Forums (2002–2010). In 2017, she served as curator of the Latvian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Šteimane holds an MA from the Art History and Theory Department of the Art Academy of Latvia (1990/2016). Since 1990, she has written for cultural periodicals and exhibition catalogues, while also working as an expert for visual arts competitions and awards. Her curatorial practice is marked by an interest in in-depth interpretations of solo exhibitions.

Kristīne Krauze-Slucka

Vizuālā māksliniece
Kristīne Krauze-Slucka is a visual artist whose conceptual practice unfolds between photography and physical objects, exploring the transformation of image and object as a space of sensory performativity. She holds an MA from the Visual Communication Department of the Art Academy of Latvia and was awarded the Nordic and Baltic Young Artist Grand Prix in 2020. In 2022, she was selected to participate in FUTURES, the European photography platform. She lectures and leads workshops at ISSP School.

Raivis Alksnis

Vizuālās mākslas kurators un producents
Raivis Alksnis is co-founder of LOOK Art Gallery, heading its exhibition programme from 2019 to 2025. Since 2022, he has been the curator of JAUNmarka, the annual large-scale exhibition of students from the Art Academy of Latvia. He is also a member of the Visual Arts Expert Commission of the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia.

Vika Eksta

Māksliniece un fotogrāfijas pedagoģe
Vika Eksta works across photography, analogue photographic processes, video, performance for camera, and audiovisual archive research. Her artistic practice engages with existential themes, autobiographical narratives, and the creative exploration of identity and historical trauma. She holds an MA from the Visual Communication Department of the Art Academy of Latvia and studied photography at EFTI in Madrid. She is currently pursuing a professional doctoral degree at the Art Academy of Latvia. Since 2014, her work has been exhibited in Latvia and internationally. She teaches lectures and workshops at the ISSP School and the RTJN Annas 2 Photography Studio.

categories

An artist whose work over the past year has demonstrated exceptional artistic quality, innovation and originality. The artist’s practice should hold contemporary relevance and have made an impact, resonating with the wider public or a specific social group.
A work by an artist or group of artists, presented in exhibitions, projects, events, or other contexts, that has stood out for its strong artistic quality, innovation, originality, and relevance, and has sparked significant public attention or resonance within a particular community.
An exhibition or event that has taken place in a museum, gallery, or another art context, with at least one of its participants representing Latvia. The event may include an art performance, festival, environmental object, installation, digital initiative, opening of a new space, or other forms of artistic activity.
Innovative, compelling exhibition, graphic or spatial design that enhances audience experience within a given space, incorporating artistic, functional and accessibility considerations.
An original, high-quality study that analyzes and provides fresh insight into artistic processes within the Latvian cultural context. The research may take the form of a publication, exhibition or other format, and can explore both contemporary and historical aspects of art.
Curatorial contribution to a one or more projects or programme. This may include exhibitions, events, festivals, or public programmes, where the curatorial input played a key role, demonstrating innovation and strong conceptual direction.

A striking and confident achievement by an artist, curator, researcher, producer, collective or other art professional who has either launched or significantly shifted the direction of their practice within the Latvian art field.

A written or audio work – essay, art critique, manifesto, conversation or other text published either in Latvia or internationally, that has contributed to a deeper understanding or stimulated informed discussion on developments within Latvian art.
Events grounded in education, participation or social practice that actively engage various communities and social groups. These projects highlight social issues, foster an inclusive art environment, and/ or promote visual literacy and a greater interest in art among children, youth, and adult audiences.
Awarded to artists or art professionals whose careers are distinguished by artistic excellence, innovation, and a sustained, meaningful contribution to the local art ecosystem.
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