On 10 April 2026, the renowned contemporary art award Köler Prize made its long-awaited return. The nominees for Köler Prize 2026 are Anna Mari Liivrand, Darja Popolitova, Hanna Samoson, Keiu Maasik and Taavi Suisalu.
Founded in 2011 by The Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM), Köler Prize aims to highlight and recognize outstanding artists working in Estonia while promoting contemporary art to a wider audience. The winner of the Köler Prize grand prix is selected by an international jury on the basis of both the work presented in the exhibition and the artist’s broader body of work. Visitors also have the opportunity to vote for the audience award winner, supported by COBALT with a prize fund of 5000€.
For many years, COBALT has been a committed supporter of the arts and cultural initiatives across the Baltic region, contributing to the development of creative communities and helping to foster a vibrant cultural landscape. By supporting the Köler Prize audience award, COBALT continues its long-standing commitment to recognizing artistic excellence and encouraging meaningful engagement between artists and the public.
Visitors are also invited to contribute to the audience award fund. Contributors will be entered into a draw to win theatre tickets to performances by Von Krahl and Ekspeditsioon, as well as special prizes from ZA/UM and COBALT.
The last edition was held in 2018. Due to challenging circumstances, the award remained on hiatus until 2026.
On 12 June, EKKM will host the Köler Prize awards gala, revealing both the grand prix and the audience award winners. The exhibition remains open until 5 July 2026.
More about the Köler Prize can be read here!
Photo: Mari-Leen Kiipli / EKKM
