About the Young Painter Prize (YPP)
YPP is the leading competition and platform for emerging painters in the Baltic region.
Initiated in 2009 by renowned Lithuanian painter Vilmantas Marcinkevičius, YPP is the oldest continuously running international competition for young painters in the Baltics. Each year, artists submit their work to an international jury of art professionals, with 25 finalists selected to participate in a major exhibition programme, including a finalists’ exhibition and satellite exhibitions across the Baltic States.
For more than 18 years, YPP has helped discover new talent, launch artistic careers, and connect emerging artists with the wider contemporary art world. Today, it is recognized as one of the most important stepping stones for young painters in Northern Europe.
YPP welcomes artists of Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian nationality from anywhere in the world, connecting Baltic creative talent across borders, cultures, and generations. Since 2022, Ukrainian artists have also been invited to participate, enriching the competition with new perspectives and strengthening cultural dialogue across the region.
Among YPP’s most notable alumni are Andrius Zakarauskas, Kristina Ališauskaitė, Adomas Danusevičius, Jonas Jurcikas, Sandra Strėle, Agata Orłowska, and Linas Kaziulionis, whose work has been exhibited internationally and is represented in important museum and private collections, galleries, art fairs, and biennials.
Beyond the competition itself, YPP has grown into a vibrant international community that brings together artists, curators, collectors, galleries, and cultural institutions, creating opportunities, fostering connections, and building long-term artistic relationships.
The competition is organized by the public organization “Jaunojo Tapytojo Prizas” (Young Painter Prize), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging artists and promoting contemporary painting in the Baltic region and beyond.
Our Purpose
YPP exists to discover, support, and champion the next generation of painters. Through competition, exhibitions, professional exchange, and international collaboration, we create opportunities for emerging artists to gain visibility, develop their careers, and connect with audiences beyond their local art scenes. At the same time, we strengthen cultural connections across the Baltic region and beyond, fostering a dynamic community built around contemporary painting.
What We Believe
At YPP, we believe talent matters more than credentials. We are interested in exceptional painters, not CVs. A university degree, attendance at a prestigious school, or institutional affiliation is never a requirement for recognition. What matters is the quality, originality, and authenticity of the work.
We value artistic excellence, creative freedom, curiosity, and experimentation. We believe that contemporary painting thrives when artists are encouraged to take risks, challenge conventions, and develop their own visual language.
We believe that opportunities should be accessible to talented artists regardless of their background, location, or circumstances. By connecting artists across borders and generations, we foster a supportive and inclusive community built on mutual respect, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
Above all, we believe in the power of art to create dialogue, inspire new ways of thinking, and bring people together.
The People Behind YPP
The Team
Competition Initiator — Vilmantas Marcinkevičius
Organizer — Giedrė Miller
Estonian Ambassador — Kaido Ole
Latvian Ambassador — Andris Vītolinš
Ukrainian Liaison — Anton Pedos
Board of Patrons
Vilmantas Marcinkevičius
Mindaugas Raila
Nicolas Ortiz
YPP is also supported by volunteers who contribute their time, skills, and enthusiasm to help make the competition possible each year. We are always happy to welcome new volunteers who would like to become part of the YPP community and help support young artists. If you would like to get involved, please contact us at .
Supporting the Next Generation
YPP exists thanks to the commitment and generosity of our patrons, sponsors, partners, and public funding bodies. Their support makes it possible for the competition to take place each year and enables us to create opportunities for emerging artists across the Baltic region and beyond.
Our patrons have played a particularly important role in shaping and sustaining YPP since its earliest years. Together with our partners and sponsors, they help fund exhibitions, awards, residencies, professional development opportunities, and the international activities that continue to expand the competition’s reach and impact.
Partnership is at the heart of YPP. We believe that supporting young artists is a shared responsibility, and we are proud to collaborate with cultural institutions, businesses, collectors, foundations, and individuals who share our commitment to the future of contemporary painting.
Patrons & Partners
Patrons
Ortiz Family
Raila Family
Rasa Juodviršienė
Sponsors
Luminor Bank
More sponsors will be announced shortly.
YPP would not exist without the continued support of our patrons, sponsors, partners, and supporters. Their commitment makes it possible for the competition to take place each year, providing young artists with opportunities to exhibit their work, connect with the wider art world, and develop their careers.
We are proud to collaborate with individuals, businesses, foundations, and cultural institutions who believe in the importance of supporting emerging talent and investing in the future of contemporary painting.
YPP continues to grow thanks to people who believe in the importance of supporting emerging artists. We are always happy to connect with potential partners, sponsors, patrons, and supporters who would like to contribute to the future of the competition. To start a conversation, get in touch at .
