International Contemporary Art Prize
Author’s Project 2026
Public recognition ceremony and editorial production at the hall Carlo Scarpa of
MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts
ROME, 29 May 2026
An entire institutional day dedicated to contemporary artistic research.
Present your authorial project (up to 5 works), access the official video exhibition, enter the catalog with ISBN and obtain documented and permanent public recognition .
You can also participate with 5 works in the categories
Painting – Sculpture – Graphic Design – Photography – Digital Art
Not a simple exhibition.
A formal transition in a museum context.
FREE THEME
DEADLINE : April 30th
Author’s Project 2026
Selections open
On 29 May 2026 at the Carlo Scarpa Hall, MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts
A public and institutional day dedicated to the enhancement of international contemporary artistic research .
The Progetto d’Autore Award is not a group exhibition.
It is a recognition device: official video exhibition, editorial production with ISBN, public attestation on stage, final critical document signed.
The artist does not present just one work.
It can structure a coherent project, up to five works, to communicate a vision, a direction, an identity.
Who is the award for?
The Progetto d’Autore Award is aimed at contemporary artists who intend to present not only a work, but a structured research.
It is intended to:
- Emerging artists who wish to make a first public passage in an institutional museum context.
- Artists in the consolidation phase who intend to strengthen their authorial identity through a coherent project.
- Artists already active in the exhibition circuit who want to formally document their research with editorial production and critical attestation.
- Painters, sculptors, photographers and visual artists who work on a recognizable and continuous language.
It is not an award designed for the single episodic work or for an occasional participation.
It is aimed at those who consider their artistic activity a professional path and accept a real, public and documented critical comparison.
It is possible to submit up to 5 works of art , FREE THEME, in the categories PAINTING, SCULPTURE, PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL ART.
Official presentation at the Carlo Scarpa Hall of the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts
The prizes up for grabs
- 1st Prize – €2,500
- 2nd Prize – €1,500
- 3rd Prize – 1000 €
Special Editorial Award
A work of the best Authorial Project will be published in the next issue of the Atlas of Contemporary Art published by Giunti Editore.
Dossier D’Autore Award
5 Authorial Projects will receive an extended critical analysis in the official Catalogue of the event.
Critical Text
Attributed by Roberto Litta to a project considered particularly coherent and significant (1 folder).
The New Faces of Contemporary Art
The photographs of a further 16 artists will be published on a page of the Atlas of Contemporary Art published by Giunti Editori with the claim “The New Faces of Contemporary Art“
Who participates with the Authorial Project
- Presentation of your project on the stage of the Carlo Scarpa Hall
To all artists admitted to the final phase
- Video exhibition of the works presented during the presentation of the Prize, on May 29, 2026.
- Official catalogue with ISBN.
- Nominal certificate delivered on stage with professional photo shoot .
- Inclusion in the online Permanent Archive.
- Discounted admission to the Museum, valid for the following 15 days.
Participation Fee
(only if you are selected)
204€ + VAT
for 1 artwork
(25% discount)
153,00€ + VAT
for a work
and if you are a member you do not pay VAT
N.B.: Progressive discounts for joining with more works. The system automatically calculates the correct rate based on your profile and the number of selected works.
- You can participate with one or more works (up to a maximum of 5)
- With 5 works you get the Authorial Dossier (Autonomous section of 6 pages in the catalog with dedicated title, Dedicated narrative sequence in the video exhibition, Absolute priority for the presentation on stage)
- The cost of membership is € 153.00 + VAT, for one work. If you are a member you do not pay VAT
- Progressive discounts for joining with more works
- You can also pay in 3 or 4 installments, without interest.
Examples
Participating Artist (25% off)
- 1 artwork = 153,00 €
- 2 artworks = 230,00€
- 3 artworks = 310,00€ (10% discount)
- 4 artworks = 391,00€ (15% discount)
- 5 works (Authorial Dossier) = 459,00€ (20% discount)
Artist NOT a member who joins (25% discount)
- 1 artwork = 153,00€ +VAT = 186,00€
- 2 works = 230,00€ +VAT = 280,00€
- 3 works = 310,00€ +VAT = 378,00€ (10% discount)
- 4 works = 391,00€ +VAT = 477,00€ (15% discount)
- 5 works (Authorial Dossier) = 459,00€ + VAT = 560,00€ (20% discount)
(The association with PitturiAmo is free, lasts one year and offers various benefits. Join now and save VAT)
N.B. The winners will be announced in the days following the presentation ceremony. All admitted artists will be invited to the presentation ceremony in the Carlo Scarpa room of the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts, to receive the admission certificate and the photo shoot.
Submit your Artworks
Send your application. ONLY IF YOU ARE SELECTED will you pay the membership fee.
Submit your works now!
If you have difficulty filling out the registration form , contact our editorial staff and we will help you!
FREE THEME
DEADLINE : April 30th
Awards
- 1st Prize – €2,500
- 2nd Prize – €1,500
- 3rd Prize – 1,000 €
- Publication of the best project on the Atlas of Contemporary Art (Giunti)
- 5 Critical dossiers in the official catalogue
- Critical Text (1 page) for an Authorial Project, written by Roberto Litta
- The faces of a further 16 artists published in the Atlas of Contemporary Art (Giunti).
To all finalist artists
- Video exhibition of works at the Carlo Scarpa Hall
- Official catalogue with ISBN
- Certificate on stage with professional photo
- Inclusion in the Permanent Online Archive
- –
- Discounted admission to the Museum, valid for the following 15 days.
Submit your application
with no obligation
Enter your details and one or more references (Facebook, Instagram, website)
where we can view your art.
Speakers Stefania Pieralice and Daniele Radini Tedeschi
Speech by Daniele Radini Tedeschi, curator of the Venice Biennale and director of the Start stand at Art Basel Miami.
In his career, he has been curator of six editions of the Venice Art Biennale, as well as director of the Start stand at Art Basel Miami 2024, the most important fair in the world.
He has held conferences on art at the MAXXI Museum, the Vittoriano, the Chamber of Deputies and other institutional venues.
He is also very popular for his appearances in TV programs on Rai and Mediaset.
Stefania Pieralice is a curator and cultural operator active in the Italian and international contemporary art scene. Co-founder of Start Edizioni, a publishing company specializing in artistic projects, publications and exhibition initiatives, she has developed over the years a professional path oriented towards the enhancement of talent and the construction of authoritative cultural contexts.
His activity focuses on curating exhibitions, editorial direction of catalogs and art volumes and planning events at national and international level. He has taken part in important events in the art system, contributing to the presence of Start Edizioni in trade fairs and institutional contexts of absolute importance (MOMA, MET, Art Basel, Venice Biennale and many others).
Is the Prize a group exhibition?
No. It is a public recognition ceremony with official video exhibition, editorial production and final critical document.
The event lasts one day at the Carlo Scarpa Hall of MAXXI – National Museum of XXI Century Arts.
Can I participate with only one work?
Yes. The Prize is structured to enhance projects consistent with up to a maximum of five works.
Is it mandatory to present a complete authorial project (5 works)?
No. It is the artist’s choice.
The Authorial Dossier (5 works) guarantees more editorial space, a dedicated sequence in the video exhibition and priority for the presentation on stage.
MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts
In the heart of Rome, MAXXI is one of the main European hubs dedicated to contemporary creativity. Designed by Zaha Hadid and inaugurated in 2010, the museum stands out for its fluid and dynamic architecture, capable of translating the complexity of contemporary thought into physical space.
It is not just an exhibition place. It is a national public institution dedicated to the arts of the twenty-first century, a center of cultural production that hosts exhibitions, research projects, archives, international meetings and interdisciplinary experimentation.
All artists admitted to the Prize will be able to access the rooms of the Museum at a discounted price, valid for 15 days.
1 + 16 artists in the Atlas of Contemporary Art Giunti
A work of a particularly important Authorial Project , selected by Daniele Radini Tedeschi and Stefania Pieralice, will be published in the Atlas of Contemporary Art Giunti.
For decades, this volume has been a point of reference for scholars, collectors, gallery owners and operators in the sector and has hosted fundamental names in modern and contemporary art over time.
Being present in the Atlas does not only mean appearing in a publication, but entering an editorial context that attributes critical recognition and cultural value to the path of an artist, leaving a documented and consulted trace over time.
The new faces of contemporary art
Among the awards provided by the Prize there is also the selection of 16 artists whose faces will be published on a page of the Atlas of Contemporary Art, accompanied by the claim “The New Faces of Contemporary Art”.
A concise but significant editorial presence, which inserts the artist’s face within a reference volume for critics, curators and operators in the sector, leaving a documented and authoritative trace of his path in the contemporary art scene.
How many artists will present the project on stage?
All the artists participating with the Authorial Dossier will have the opportunity to present their project on stage.
Who signs the Critical Text?
The document is signed by Roberto Litta and will be dedicated to an Authorial Project.
Are the prizes in cash?
Yes.
1st Prize € 2,500
2nd Prize € 1,500
3rd Prize € 1000
Additional Special Prizes are planned.
The final certificate written by Roberto Litta
Art critic and RAI presenter
Roberto Litta during some public speeches: On Rainews24, during the Artist of Europe 25 award in Venice organized by PitturiAmo, presenter in the program Memorie Italiane on RaiPlay, commentator on Raidue in the program Parents What to do?
Writer, playwright and art critic, Roberto Litta has cultivated a deep passion for Italian history and art since high school.
Author of theatrical works (Tango Tales, 2009; Storia d’Italia in Disordine Perfetto, 2010; The Right Violence, 2017), reached the general public with the historical novel The Man Who Lives Twice, now in its third edition.
With Ten Tales, a collection of illustrated fairy tales, he has launched an itinerant project to promote literature and art among young people, addressing issues such as bullying and the educational emergency.
As an art critic, he stands out for an innovative approach that links works to the history, sociological conditions and philosophical currents of their time.
He has curated numerous exhibitions nationally and internationally and is the author and presenter of Arte Italia, a RAI television program dedicated to the Italian artistic heritage.
In 2024 he created the catalogue raisonné on the works of Nelvis Fornasin, contributing to one of the most important studies on Neapolitan painting, and chaired the Vigevano Biennale and chairs the jury of the Biennale della Riviera Romana.
Author and hosts of the Rai documentary series Memorie Italiane.
He hosted Italia viaggio nella bellezza for Rai Storia and presented the Artist of Europe Award in Venice.
In January 2026 , the Minister of Culture appointed him to the Board of Directors of the Praeneste and Gabii Museums and Archaeological Parks.
The free catalogue of the event in PDF and
with ISBN code for sale on AMAZON
Complimentary to all selected artists
The PDF catalogue of the PROGETTO D’AUTORE AWARD, with all the artists admitted to the Prize.
For the Authorial Dossiers , there is a dedicated autonomous section, designed to restore coherence and continuity to the project.
The catalogue is an outline that can be consulted over time, useful for resumes, relations with galleries and institutional presentations.
Formal, stable and recognizable documentation of one’s presence at the Award.
You can download the catalogue in PDF format for free and easily distribute it online to all your contacts.
The catalog, with ISBN (International Standard Book Number) code, will also be on sale on AMAZON.
N.B. The catalogue will be available for download about 1 month after the end of the event. Technical time required for the realization of the product. If you want to have a paper copy of the catalog, you can buy it directly on Amazon.
The Catalago of the event is a tangible trace of your work as an artist
When do I pay the participation fee?
The fee is required only in case of admission.
Does the fee vary according to the number of works?
Yes. The cost increases according to the number of works presented (from 1 to 5), up to the Authorial Dossier formula.
Will the works be physically exhibited at the Museum?
No. The admitted works will be presented in official video exhibition during the day of the event.
The certificate of merit
All participants will receive a certificate of merit with a generic reason for admission.
Want more information?
For any doubt or information call +3907731841141 now and talk to Tury, our Assistant.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. The nominal certificate will be delivered on stage with a professional photo shoot.
Is there a selection?
Yes. Admission is based on an evaluation of the application. The Prize is oriented towards the quality and consistency of research
Can foreign artists participate?
Yes. The Prize is open to contemporary artists without nationality constraints.
PitturiAmo’s® numbers
Painters on sale
Paintings on display
The PitturiAmo staff
PitturiAmo is a cultural structure made up of a heterogeneous and coordinated team, in which different skills work together with a common goal: to offer artists reliable interlocutors, concrete tools and credible contexts for professional growth.
The staff brings together specialized figures in the curatorial, editorial, organizational and consulting fields, supported by advanced technological systems, including automated response tools based on artificial intelligence, designed to ensure timeliness, clarity and continuity in the dialogue with the artists.
Technology does not replace the relationship, but makes it more efficient and accessible, leaving people the time and space for what requires listening, evaluation and responsibility.
Each PitturiAmo project is the result of a structured, often invisible work, made up of analysis, comparison and attention to detail. Nothing is improvised, nothing is left to chance.
Behind every selection, publication or award there is a system that supports, coordinates and protects the value of the work and the artistic path.
PitturiAmo does not offer shortcuts or easy promises.
It provides a team – human and technological – that works with seriousness, competence and respect, at the service of artists and their recognition over time.
Nino Argentati at some of the many events organized by PitturiAmo. Together with Vittorio Sgarbi, Roberto Litta, Daniele Radini Tedeschi, Anna Soricaro, Stefania Pieralice, Philippe Daverio, Paolo Levi.
PitturiAmo has already helped many artists gain more exposure online, which has resulted in:
- Sale of paintings directly on the portal;
- Sale of paintings by private treaty;
- Winning Prizes in competitions;
- Participation in fairs, exhibitions and various events;
- Group and solo exhibitions in prestigious places;
- Publications in art catalogues;
- Inclusions in the most prestigious art collections.
PitturiAmo has brought hundreds of artists from all over Europe to exhibit in the most important international cities of art:
- New York
- London
- Paris
- Venice
- Rome
- Milan
- Florence
- Madrid
- Vienna
- Berlin
- and many others
PitturiAmo has organized important art events, together with many internationally renowned artists and critics, such as:
- Vittorio Sgarbi;
- Daniele Radini Tedeschi;
- Roberto Litta;
- Anna Soricaro;
- Stefania Pieralice;
- Philippe Daverio;
- Paolo Levi;
Collaborating with PitturiAmo:
- Curators;
- Art critics;
- Gallery owners;
- Journalists;
PitturiAmo respects the environment
To limit the environmental impact caused by the use of printing paper, inks and transport, PitturiAmo chooses to minimize the printing and shipping of promotional material. Catalogues, certificates, brochures and everything not strictly necessary for the promotion of events and artists will be distributed exclusively in electronic format.
- 1st Prize – €2,500
- 2nd Prize – €1,500
- 3rd Prize – 1,000 €
- Publication of the best project on the Atlas of Contemporary Art (Giunti)
- 5 Critical dossiers in the official catalogue
- Critical Text (1 page) for an Authorial Project, selected by Roberto Litta
- All the artists participating with the Authorial Dossier will have the opportunity to present their project on stage.
10 good reasons to participate
Tap or click on the number to find out why you should participate
1
Access to an institutional museum context.
The event takes place in the Carlo Scarpa room of the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts, one of Italy’s leading public institutions dedicated to contemporary art. Participation implies a formal transition in a recognized museum context.
2
Public recognition during an official ceremony.
The selected artists are called on stage during a public ceremony, receiving a nominal certificate in front of the audience and the artistic community present.
3
Official video exhibition of the works.
The works are presented through an institutional video exhibition during the event, allowing an organic reading of the artist’s work in front of the participants.
4
Editorial production with ISBN catalogue.
The event generates an official editorial publication. The catalogue constitutes a stable documentary trace of the artistic project presented.
5
Critical Text signed by Roberto Litta.
An Authorial Project receives a critical text, a folder, signed by Roberto Litta, which interprets the path presented and summarizes its strengths.
6
Inclusion in the online Permanent Archive.
The artist’s works and data enter a stable digital archive that maintains the documentation of the event over time.
7
Possibility to present an articulated authorial project.
Participation can include up to five works. This allows you to show a coherent search, not a single isolated work.
8
Access to the Authorial Dossier Formula.
Artists who present five works can get more editorial space in the catalog and priority in the presentation during the ceremony.
9
System of critical awards and recognitions.
The Prize includes financial awards (€ 2,500, € 1,500, € 1,000), a Critical Mention and an Editorial Award with possible publication in the Atlas of Contemporary Art published by Giunti Editore.
10
Construction of a traceable over time.
Participation produces public attestations, critical and editorial documentation and inclusion in the archive. All elements that contribute to consolidating the artist’s professional career over time.
Want more information?
For any doubt or information call +3907731841141 now and talk to Tury, our Assistant.
PitturiAmo A.P.S.
Via Filippo Turati, 22 - 93100 Caltanissetta - P.IVA e C.F. 02092300850 - info@pitturiamo.com - REA: CL-119175.Copyright – All the contents of this page (texts, images, graphics and layout) are the property of PitturiAmo and protected by copyright. It is therefore forbidden to copy, publish, rewrite, market, distribute, even in part. All documents on this site, which are available for free download, are intended for personal use only. They can be redistributed, always free of charge and without any illicit or commercial purpose, provided that they are not altered in any form (texts, images, graphics, layout), clearly keeping PitturiAmo as the owner of the content. Any violation will be prosecuted according to current legislation.
