The Singer-Zahariev Foundation is starting a major new initiative – the first contemporary art prize for the Balkan region. The first “Balkan Contemporary Art Prize”, will be awarded within the framework of the international contemporary art festival BUNA in Varna, Bulgaria.
Eligibility criteria and conditions for participation will be published via an open call at https://bunavarna.com/en/
The prize is set at Euro 3000 and will be awarded by a five-member jury chaired by Zdenka Badovinac, former director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb and the Museum of Modern Art, Ljubljana. Other members of the jury will be: Dr. Ana Frangovska, art critic and curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje, Macedonia; Vladiya Mihaylova, art critic, curator and programmer of the Toplocentrala Cube, Sofia; Kalin Serapionov, artist and director of the Institute of Contemporary Art – Sofia; Alexander Valchev, artist and laureate of the BUNA Special Jury Award for 2024.
According to Kathrin Singer, Co-founder of SZ Foundation: “Among the European contemporary art community, the Balkan region remains relatively underrepresented despite its long-standing history and prominent representatives. For an “up and coming” European cultural region, the Balkans still do not have a major Contemporary Art Prize dedicated exclusively to that region. We are sponsoring the institution of a Balkan Contemporary Art Prize to raise the level of international visibility of the Balkan region’s potential in contemporary art. “
Kamen Zahariev, Co-founder of SZ said: “The Prize aims to be a bridge to the global art scene but also to facilitate cultural exchange and collaboration within the Region, contributing to a broader discourse. The competition aims to become a platform for artists in the Balkans to challenge divisive narratives, encouraging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in a shared dialogue about the complexities of their shared history. The aim of the competition is to allow for a re-evaluation of historical narratives, encourage a more inclusive understanding of the region’s past in the light of European aspirations and integration processes.”
BUNA is an annual festival based in Varna, Bulgaria. The BUNA Festival is devoted to the development of the local and regional contemporary artistic scene, the promotion of contemporary art in the Balkan region, and the facilitation of international collaborations and professional development of contemporary artists.
