Application for participation in the Competition

Painting: on canvas or cardboard, in oil, tempera, or acrylic.
Graphics: On paper or fabric, using ink, pen, pencil, fineliners, soft media (charcoal, sepia, or drawing chalk), watercolor, or mixed media. Engravings on metal, wood, stone, or linoleum and silkscreen prints are also accepted.
No side of the artwork may exceed 175 cm.

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Mentorship

Tell the story of someone who helped you find your way, or show how experience and knowledge are passed from mentor to student.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Family

Show what family means to you: care, ties between generations, shared traditions, or memories of loved ones.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Traditions and myths of my country

Reinterpret a legend, ritual, or folk image and show what place it holds in your country’s culture today.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Childhood in my country

Tell a story about childhood through familiar places, games, family stories, or everyday details that stayed with you.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Bread / rice / … is the staff of life

Choose a food or dish that matters to your culture and show the stories, habits, or traditions connected with it.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

The starry sky over my country

Show the stories, images, or memories evoked by the night sky above a place you know.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

The wisdom of generations through proverbs and sayings

Choose a proverb or saying and convey its meaning through an image, a scene, or a story of your own.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

The soul of my people

Show what captures the character of your people for you: their values, memories, way of life, or how they relate to others.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Happiness is…

Complete this phrase through your artwork. Show a moment, person, place, or feeling that you associate with happiness.

An artwork in this category may be submitted in one of three formats:

01 Physical artwork

02 Digital art

A still image created or edited using digital technology, such as a digital illustration or comic.

03 Video or animation

A video, digital animation, cartoon, or animated GIF.
The running time must not exceed 3 minutes.

General requirements

The artwork must have been created specifically for the Competition and must reflect the theme of the selected category.

To participate in the Competition, the participant must complete the application form.

Step 2

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

The first spread of the passport with personal data.

Participants must be 18–35 years old (inclusive) when applications open.

Photograph in png, jpeg format

You need to prepare a text document with a biography in docx or pdf format. The filename must begin with the last name and first name of the participant specified on the application form. For example: "Ivanov Ivan.docx"

Document on artistic training means Diploma of completion or certificate of training at art educational organizations of secondary and higher education.

If there is no such document, you may leave this field blank.

Raster files are accepted in JPEG, PNG, TIFF formats with a resolution not lower than 600 pixels on the shorter side, and not more than 10 MB

In case of video work, a link to a video published on Rutube, YouTube, or Vimeo must be attached

Such text document shall describe the idea of the work, as it relates to the selected category, indicate the name of the work, materials used, and size

Step 3

Prepare the files for sending

Names of all files to be sent electronically shall begin with the last name and first name of the participant specified in the application form. For example: "Ivanov Ivan.docx"

All documents must be submitted in Russian or English

Step 4

Submit your application online

Please check that your work:

was created between November 9, 2026 and February 2, 2027
is an original work
corresponds to the competition theme

IMPORTANT! Each participant can submit only one application for one of the nine categories.

Duplicate applications from the same participant will NOT be reviewed by the competition’s creative council

APPLY

You can select your category in the application form

In the event that fragments of works by other authors are used in the work, the participant of the Competition is obliged to provide the Host with the consent of the authors for the use of their works or other documents confirming the legality of the use of the works or fragments thereof and confirming compliance with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation on intellectual property.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Yes. If you were not among the winners of the previous season, you are welcome to participate again.

Please note: the artwork you submit must be created specifically for the current season of the Competition, between November 9, 2026 and February 2, 2027.

No. Participants must be between 18 and 35 years old (inclusive) on the date applications open (November 9, 2026).

• If you turn 18 after applications open (after November 9, 2026), your application will not be considered.
• If you have already turned 36 before applications open (before November 9, 2026), your application will not be considered.

The Competition is open to participants regardless of their country of origin, place of residence or religion. International participants must hold a valid passport and be eligible to enter the Russian Federation.

Applications are accepted in Russian or English:

the application form must be completed in Russian or English;
all supporting documents must be submitted in Russian or English.

Yes. The Competition welcomes students and graduates of specialized art institutions, as well as independent young artists from Russia and other countries, regardless of their institutional affiliation.

No. You may choose only one of the nine thematic categories:

Mentorship
Family
Traditions and myths of my country
Childhood in my country
Bread / Rice / … is the staff of life
The starry sky over my country
The wisdom of generations through proverbs and sayings
The soul of my people
Happiness Is…

Each participant chooses their category independently.

You may submit either one artwork or a series (diptych or triptych) within one of the nine thematic categories.

Yes. You may submit a series of 2−3 artworks (a diptych or triptych) as part of your application, provided that the series:

Has been created specifically for the Competition.
Reflects the theme of the selected category.
Addresses the Competition theme: "The Values of My People as Part of Global Human Culture."

Yes.

If you win, your artwork will be credited under your pseudonym:

At the exhibition.
In the exhibition catalogue.

Both your pseudonym and full legal name will appear on the website’s list of winners. Your certificate will be issued in your full legal name.

A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided in your application.

Please note: If you cannot find the email in your inbox, check your Spam folder.

All artworks must be created independently and specifically for the Competition.

The following entries will not be accepted:

works submitted without a completed application form or the full set of required documents;
works containing obscene language, calls for extremism, or propaganda of violence and cruelty in violation of Russian law;
works that violate moral standards, falsify historical facts, or contain offensive statements directed at the Organizers, partners, other participants, or any third parties.

Finalists must provide the original artwork for exhibition, along with digital copies on an electronic storage device. International participants must hold a valid passport and be eligible to enter the Russian Federation.

In the event of a win, the exclusive rights to the artwork will be transferred to the Competition Organizer (Clause 7.4 of the Competition Regulations).

Do participants have to cover the cost of shipping their artwork to the exhibition, as well as travel and accommodation expenses?

All expenses, including visa processing, artwork delivery, train or air travel, accommodation, and meals for the winner during the award ceremony, will be covered by the Competition Organizer.

For International Participants
Winners from other countries must initially cover the costs of artwork shipping and visa processing themselves. Upon the participant’s arrival in Russia, the Organizer will reimburse all shipping and visa-related 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 – 2026

This website is for information purposes only and does not constitute a public offer