guidelines for viewers judging the competition

The Erarta Prize was founded as the first contemporary art prize awarded through a public vote rather than by a board of experts. This premise is consistent with Erarta’s core philosophy: art is being created by the artist, but it is the viewers’ perception that makes it truly powerful.

In 2026, the total prize value of 3.5 million rubles will be distributed among the nominees according to the viewers’ judgement.

Deciding which artwork to vote for will be as easy as ever: meet-the-artist events with the 2026 Erarta Prize nominees will be held all through the first voting round.

Moreover, the vote will be open to all supporters of the participating artists, including those who will not be able to attend the show. All holders of valid Erarta Museum Tickets and Memberships who will not be able to travel to St. Petersburg during the period of the exhibition will have the option to vote in absentia. The 2026 Erarta Prize will be awarded in two voting rounds: for each of them, every active Erarta Member and Ticket holder will have one vote that can be cast in favour of the artwork of their choice.