The Baltic Region’s Leading Competition for Emerging Painters

For more than 18 years, Young Painter Prize (YPP) has been discovering and championing the next generation of painters in the Baltic region.

As the oldest and most recognized competition for emerging painters in the Baltics, YPP brings together outstanding young artists from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and, since 2022, Ukraine. More than a competition, YPP is a platform for visibility, professional growth, and international connections, helping artists take their work beyond the studio and into the wider contemporary art world.

Each year, artists aged 18–33 submit their work to an international jury of artists, curators, collectors, and art professionals. The selected finalists become part of a growing community of artists whose careers continue to evolve long after the competition ends.

Talent Matters More Than Credentials

At YPP, we are interested in exceptional painters, not CVs.

No art degree is required. No prestigious academy is required. We believe great artists can come from anywhere. What matters is the quality, originality, and authenticity of the work.

Whether you are studying at an art academy, building your practice independently, or developing your work outside traditional institutions, we encourage you to apply.

Why Apply?

Over the past 18 years, YPP has become a launchpad for many artists who have gone on to build successful international careers. Among its most notable alumni are Andrius Zakarauskas, Kristina Ališauskaitė, Adomas Danusevičius, Jonas Jurcikas, Sandra Strėle, Agata Orłowska, and Linas Kaziulionis.

YPP offers more than an exhibition. It provides visibility, professional connections, international exposure, and access to a growing network of artists, curators, collectors, galleries, and cultural institutions.

Follow YPP 2026

Whether you’re an artist looking for your next opportunity, a curator searching for new talent, a collector, or simply passionate about contemporary painting, we invite you to follow YPP 2026 and discover the next generation of Baltic artists.

The 18th Young Painter Prize begins!

Applications for the 18th edition of Young Painter Prize are now open.

This year, YPP once again invites the most talented emerging painters from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine to share their work with an international audience and compete for a place in one of the Baltic region’s most respected contemporary art platforms.

Twenty-five finalists will be selected by an international jury and invited to participate in the YPP 2026 exhibition programme.

Exhibition Programme
Opening Exhibition
Tallinn Art Hall in Lasnamäe

Dates
11–27 September 2026

Location
Jaan Koorti 24
Tallinn, Estonia

Exhibition Tour
Art Academy of Latvia Gallery, Riga
21 October – 21 November 2026
Klaipėda Culture Communication Centre (KKKC), Lithuania
4 December 2026 – 4 January 2027

Alongside the exhibitions, YPP will continue to create opportunities for artists through professional networking, artist talks, public events, curator-led tours, and international visibility.

International Jury
Jury members will be announced on 1 July 2026.

Awards & Opportunities
More than €10,000 in awards, residency opportunities, professional recognition, and international exposure await this year’s finalists. But the real prize is becoming part of a network of artists, curators, collectors, galleries, and institutions that continues to open doors long after the competition ends.

Applications Open
Applications for Young Painter Prize 2026 are now open.
Applicants must:

  • Be between 18 and 33 years old.
  • Work primarily in painting.
  • Be citizens of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, or Ukraine, regardless of where they currently live; or be permanent residents of Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia.

Application deadline: 30 June 2026 (inclusive)
Finalists announcement: 3 August 2026

Apply now: Application Page
Questions? Contact us at

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