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Thank you for your interest in the Erarta Prize! We will happily provide any additional information, answer your questions, and introduce the project in more detail. 

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Erarta Museum Announces the 2026 Erarta Prize Longlist

Having reviewed all entries for the Prize, the museum unveiled its longlist comprising 40 artists. Their works will be displayed at a special exhibition staged to determine the winners through a public viewer vote. In 2026, the total prize value will amount to 3.5 million rubles and will be distributed among the nominees according to the viewers’ choice.

From 6 February through 7 June 2026, Erarta’s Grand Hall will host an exhibition showcasing the creations by our contemporaries selected by the museum out of the entire pool of works submitted by the artists competing for the Prize. The Erarta Prize is the only 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.

The exhibition will feature paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, photographs, video and multimedia art, installations, as well as other contemporary art media.

The following artists have been nominated for the 2026 Erarta Prize:

In 2026, every viewer will have one vote for each of the two voting rounds. All active Erarta Members and Ticket holders from various parts of Russia who will not be able to travel to St. Petersburg during the period of the 2026 Erarta Prize exhibition will have the option to vote in absentia: for each of the voting rounds, every active 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 will enjoy a new opportunity: not only will they 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 artists’ exact ranking will be determined by the number of votes received by each particular artwork. In the second round, the number of votes will be reset to zero, and voting will start over. The voting procedure will be fair and transparent. The number of viewer votes given to each artwork will be displayed on a special screen installed in the exhibition space and can be tracked in real time.

Below are some downloadable files:

• Images

Erarta Museum Announces an Open Call for the 2026 Erarta Prize

Entries must be submitted through the online form from 16 September through 19 October 2025. The total 2026 Erarta Prize value of 3.5 million rubles will be distributed among the nominees according to the viewers’ vote.

The Erarta Prize is the first annual contemporary art prize judged by the viewers 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.

Launched in 2023, the Erarta Prize was justly awarded the title of Project of the Year in the Arts Category by the Delovoy Peterburg daily business newspaper. The past Erarta Prize nominees continue to collaborate with the museum: some of their works were added to Erarta’s permanent collection, and several artists were invited by the Curatorial Team to have their solo exhibitions at Erarta, more than a dozen of which have been staged already.

For the Prize’s fourth edition in 2026, Erarta will once again encourage the viewers to select their favourite artwork according to their own choices and preferences. The 2026 Erarta Prize exhibition will be held from 6 February through 7 June 2026 at Erarta’s Grand Hall and will showcase the creations by our contemporaries selected by the museum out of the entire pool of works submitted by the contesting artists. Erarta Museum will curate the contestants’ exhibition (select the exhibits and stage the actual show), but will neither take part in determining the winners nor invite other experts from the professional community to do so. A total of 40 nominees will compete for the 2026 Erarta Prize. Each of them will receive a guaranteed reward that will depend on their exact ranking. The voting will take place in two rounds. Additional details of the voting procedure, the 2026 prize money distribution, and other new features can be found.

Erarta Museum invites everyone to take an active part in staging the exhibition and determining the winners of the 2026 Erarta Prize. This is going to be unmissable!

• Publication-quality images can be downloaded here.