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International Competition FOR Young Artists
20
26
26
20
25
25
KARTINA MIRA
theme of the Competition
2025-2026
The values of my nation as part of the global human culture
The Competition shall be held in three categories
2025
2026
reflect the unique contribution of Russian art to the development of global culture
from ancient Russian painting to avant-garde art
Inspired by Russian
special nomination
It is an open dialogue with heritage — one that must be voiced in the language of contemporary art.
If you have submitted a work to one of the three main categories, you can still submit an additional piece to the special category.
Every era and every direction of Russian art is a unique contribution to the shared treasury of human culture, a distinct way of seeing and feeling the world.
From the austerity of Old Russian icons to the complete freedom of form and color in the avant-garde — a movement that forever changed global culture.
dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery
Special category
Inspired by Russian
- Works are accepted:
— on canvas or cardboard, made with oil, tempera or acrylic;
— on paper or fabric, made with ink, pen, pencil, liners, soft materials (charcoal, sepia, sauce, pencil), watercolor, mixed techniques;
— engravings on metal, wood, stone, linoleum;
— silkscreen printing;
— images created and/or edited using digital technology, GIF art, digital animation, cartoons, and comics.
- The work must be completed independently, specifically for the Competition and reflect theme.
- The size of work performed on canvas or cardboard, paper or fabric, as well as engravings should be no more than 175 cm on either side.
- The timing of videos, cartoons, and animations shall not exceed 3 minutes.
- To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.
If you have submitted a work to one of the three main categories, you can still submit an additional piece to the special category.
Painting
- Works in the Painting category are accepted on canvas or cardboard, made in oil, tempera or acryl.
- The work must be completed independently, specifically for the Competition, and reflect its theme — "The values of my nation as part of the global human culture".
- The size of the work shall be not more than 175 cm on any side.
- To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.
Graphics
- Works in the Graphics category are accepted on paper or fabric made with ink, pen, pencil, liners, soft materials (charcoal, sepia, sauce, pencil), watercolor, mixed techniques; engravings on metal, wood, stone, linoleum, and silkscreen prints are also accepted.
- The work must be completed independently, specifically for the Competition, and reflect its theme — "The values of my nation as part of the global human culture".
- The size of the work shall be not more than 175 cm on any side.
- To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.
Digital art
- Works in the Digital Art category shall include images created and/or edited using digital technology. GIF art, digital animation, cartoons, and comics may participate.
- The work must be completed independently, specifically for the Competition, and reflect its theme — "The values of my nation as part of the global human culture".
- The timing of videos, cartoons, and animations shall not exceed 3 minutes.
- To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.
CAN PARTICIPATE?
WHO
when?
february 02, 2026
End of receipt of applications
february 20, 2026
STAGE 1
The expert Council will select the top 100 applications
The expert Council will select the top 100 applications
* The list of selected applications will be published on the Competition’s website
MARCH 23, 2026
STAGE 3
Announcement of finalists: the Creative Council will select 14 winners
Announcement of finalists: the Creative Council will select 14 winners
* The list of contestants will be published on the Competition website
* The list of winners will be published on the Competition website
MARCH 06, 2026
STAGE 2
The Creative Council shall select 50 contestants to be shortlisted
The Creative Council shall select 50 contestants to be shortlisted
June 2026
EXHIBITION OF FINAL WORKS
and awarding the winners
and awarding the winners
Start of receipt of applications
October 08, 2025
AWARDS
Opportunity to showcase your work
at the branch of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Kaliningrad
Professional recognition
by the international expert community
Participation in the opening of the exhibition and the award ceremony
travel is at the expense of the Competition organizer
Memorable prizes
Creative Council
Co-Chairman
Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects.
- General Director of the Innopraktika Company.
- Rector of St. Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts named after Ilya Repin.
- Fine art expert, architectural historian, academician of the Russian Academy of Arts.
- Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation, Honorary Professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Distinguished Professor of Tsinghua University, Honorary Professor of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma.
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Manege Central Exhibition Hall in St. Petersburg.
- Organizer and curator of exhibitions in Russia, China, USA, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland.
- Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy.
- Awarded the Russian Federation Government and St. Petersburg Government Prizes and other awards.
- General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
- Expert of the Regulatory Guillotine Council in the field “Culture”.
- Member of the Public Council under the State Duma Committee on Culture.
- Member of the Public Council at Rossotrudnichestvo.
- Member of the Supervisory Board of MGIMO University.
FAQ
No. The age of participants at the time of the application opening (October 08, 2025) must be at least 18 and no more than 35 years old, inclusive.
• If you turn 18 after the application opening date (after October 08, 2025), your application will not be considered.
• If you have turned 36 by the time the application process opens (before October 08, 2025), your application will not be considered.
• If you turn 18 after the application opening date (after October 08, 2025), your application will not be considered.
• If you have turned 36 by the time the application process opens (before October 08, 2025), your application will not be considered.
Yes. If you were not among the top 14 winners last season, you may participate again this year.
Important: The artwork you submit must be created specifically for this competition during the current season — between October 8, 2025 and February 2, 2026.
Important: The artwork you submit must be created specifically for this competition during the current season — between October 8, 2025 and February 2, 2026.
Participants are invited to take part in the competition, regardless of their place of origin, place of residence, and religion. Foreign participants must have a valid international passport and no obstacles to enter into the Russian Federation.
All applications are accepted in Russian or English:
- the participant must fill out the application form in Russian or English;
- all documents must be submitted in Russian or English.
Yes, both students and graduates of specialized art schools and free, institutionally independent young Russian and foreign artists are invited to participate in the Competition.
You can choose only one of the three main categories for participation in the Competition – "Painting", "Graphics" or "Digital Art". The categories is selected independently by the participants of the Competition.
You can also submit additional work as part of the special nomination "Inspired by Russian" dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
You can also submit additional work as part of the special nomination "Inspired by Russian" dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
The participant can send:
- one work in one of three main nominations ("Painting", "Graphics" or "Digital Art");
- additional work in the special nomination "Inspired by Russian" dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery.
Yes, you may attach a series of 2−3 works (diptych and triptych) to your competition application if, in accordance with the Competition requirements, you have created a series that:
• was specifically made for participation in the Competition;
• reflects the given theme: "The values of my nation as part of the global human culture".
• was specifically made for participation in the Competition;
• reflects the given theme: "The values of my nation as part of the global human culture".
Yes.
You may submit one work to a main category — "Painting", "Graphics" or "Digital Art" — and additionally submit a separate work to the special category. Both works must be original, match the theme of the competition, and meet all submission requirements.
You may submit one work to a main category — "Painting", "Graphics" or "Digital Art" — and additionally submit a separate work to the special category. Both works must be original, match the theme of the competition, and meet all submission requirements.
Yes. In case of your victory, the work will be signed with the pseudonym:
On the website’s list of winners, both the pseudonym and your full name will be listed, and the certificate will be issued in your full name.
- at the exhibition;
- in the brochure.
On the website’s list of winners, both the pseudonym and your full name will be listed, and the certificate will be issued in your full name.
We have sent a confirmation message to the email address provided in your application.
IMPORTANT!
If you do not see the message in your inbox, please check your "Spam" folder
IMPORTANT!
If you do not see the message in your inbox, please check your "Spam" folder
The work must be completed independently, specifically for the Competition.
The following shall not be accepted for the Competition:
The following shall not be accepted for the Competition:
- Works without a completed application form for participation in the Competition and without a complete set of documents.
- Works that contain profanity, calls for extremism, propaganda of violence and cruelty that violate the legislation of the Russian Federation.
- Works contradicting moral standards, containing falsification of historical facts, offensive statements addressed to the organizers, partners, other participants of the Competition, or any other third parties.
In case of reaching the finals of the Competition, the participant of the Competition shall submit the original work for participation in the exhibition and its copies on an electronic medium. Foreign participants must have a valid international passport and no obstacles to enter into the Russian Federation.
In the event that you are the winner, the exclusive rights to the work will be transferred to the Organizer of the Competition (clause 7.4 of the Competition Regulations).
All expenses, including visa processing, artwork delivery, train/flight tickets, accommodation, and meals for the winner during the exhibition, will be covered by the Competition Organizer.
For Foreign Participants
Winners of the competition from other countries must cover the costs of shipping and visa processing themselves. Upon the participant’s arrival at the exhibition, the Organizers will reimburse all shipping and visa expenses.
For Foreign Participants
Winners of the competition from other countries must cover the costs of shipping and visa processing themselves. Upon the participant’s arrival at the exhibition, the Organizers will reimburse all shipping and visa expenses.
Autonomous Non-Profit Organization for the Development of Concert and Theater Activities, Culture, and Art “ART-PODGOTOVKA”
INN (Taxpayer Identification Number) 9704202698
OGRN (Primary State Registration Number) 1237700171818
2024 – 2025
This website is for information purposes only and does not constitute a public offer
INN (Taxpayer Identification Number) 9704202698
OGRN (Primary State Registration Number) 1237700171818
2024 – 2025
This website is for information purposes only and does not constitute a public offer