guidelines for viewers judging the competition

The Erarta Prize was founded as the first ever 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.

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 cannot travel to St. Petersburg during the period of the exhibition 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.

The viewers judging the 2026 Erarta Prize enjoy a new opportunity: they not only have their say in the prize money distribution, but can also purchase their favourite artwork, lending additional support to its creator. All nominated exhibits that are sold prior to the awarding of the Prize will remain on display for the duration of the show and will be transferred to their new owners only after the project’s results are announced.

The top 10 artists securing the majority of votes at the close of the first voting round on 20 April have qualified for the second. The number of votes received by the artists in the first round was reset to zero, and voting has started over.