The Young Painter Prize (YPP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing emerging talent by organizing the annual YPP competition. Founded in 2009 by Lithuanian painter Vilmantas Marcinkevičius, YPP has grown into a vital platform that connects young artists with opportunities to showcase their work and advance their careers.

Our team manages every aspect of the competition — from handling participant submissions and maintaining a seamless online platform to selecting esteemed jurors who evaluate the artworks. We also oversee the visual design of the competition, including exhibition architecture and curation, to present the artists’ creations in compelling and inspiring ways.

Financial sustainability is at the heart of our mission. Through strong partnerships and sponsorships, including support from public institutions and the private sector, we secure the resources necessary to continue providing a supportive environment for young painters.

Since 2024, YPP has proudly welcomed Estonian artist Kaido Ole as ambassador for Estonia and Latvian painter Andris Vītolinš as ambassador for Latvia. Our Ukrainian liaison, young painter Anton Pedos, helps strengthen our support for artists from Ukraine.

Our Team

• Founder / Initiator: Vilmantas Marcinkevičius
• Organizer: Giedrė Miller
• Estonian Ambassador: Kaido Ole
• Latvian Ambassador: Andris Vītolinš
• Ukrainian Liaison: Anton Pedos

Our Patrons

• Ortiz family
• Raila family
• Rasa Juodviršienė
• Bajorūnas / Sarnoff Foundation

Our Sponsors

• Luminor Bank
• the full list of sponsors will be published shortly!

YPP 2025 is co-financed by the Lithuanian Council of Culture.

We are deeply grateful to our patrons and partners, whose commitment ensures the ongoing success of the Young Painter Prize and the continued growth of the next generation of artists.