The Critics’ Prize for Young Painting is an award focused on supporting and promoting young artists up to the age of 35. Founded in 2008, CKZMM aims to facilitate the establishment of emerging talents on the contemporary art scene. Since 2025, the award has undergone a transformation that strengthens its significance and long-term sustainability. The prize seeks to reflect current tendencies in painting and encourage discussion about its future direction. Each year, an expert jury selects five finalists, from whom one laureate receives the main award. The curator of this year’s edition is Michal Stolárik.

The laureate receives:

• the Golden Nail award object (made of gold, worth approximately CZK 20,000),
• a financial prize of CZK 50,000,
• an individual artistic project abroad in collaboration with the Czech Centres,
• the iconic Panton Chair provided by Vitra.

Finalists receive:

• collaboration with 100ks.cz (production of their own print series),
• a CZK 5,000 voucher for art supplies or framing services (Nielsen),
• the opportunity to win the Audience Award – the Silver Nail.

Application deadline: 31 May 2026

Final exhibition and award ceremony: 8 October 2026 (NTK Gallery, Prague)