International Contemporary Art Prize - Author Project

An award dedicated to the artist's journey

The International Contemporary Art Prize - Author Project is an award promoted by the PitturiAmo network, one of the leading Italian organizations dedicated to promoting contemporary artists online. Its unique feature is clear from its name: unlike many competitions that evaluate a single work, here artists are asked to present a project composed of multiple works, capable of conveying a vision, a poetic style, and a recognizable identity. It is not just about the talent of a single painting or photograph, but the coherence of a body of work built over time, with a precise direction.

The MAXXI in Rome, the event's setting

The ceremony takes place in Rome, in the Lazio region, at one of the most prestigious venues for Italian contemporary art: the MAXXI - National Museum of 21st Century Arts, the building designed by Zaha Hadid in the Flaminio district. Awarded and selected artists gather in the Sala Carlo Scarpa, a space that gives the initiative an institutional scope and strong symbolic value for those working in the emerging art scene. The choice of the MAXXI is no coincidence: the museum is a benchmark for contemporary art in Italy and Europe, and hosting the awards ceremony here means offering authors a showcase of the highest cultural profile.

The 2026 edition: winners and awards

The 2026 ceremony brought together over sixty international artists from diverse disciplines, from painting to photography, from digital art to conceptual work. The first prize went to Owe Åsvik, followed by Giuseppe Bevilacqua and Dariusz Mierzwa. Alongside cash prizes, the PitturiAmo network awarded several editorial and critical recognitions:

• publication in L'Atlante dell'Arte Contemporanea Giunti;
• a personalized critical text signed by the initiative's curators;
• inclusion in the official award catalog;
• the New Faces of Contemporary Art section, dedicated to a group of emerging authors selected for their quality and expressive potential.

A day of meetings and networking

The Author Project is not just an award ceremony, but a true day of exchange. The program includes a welcome and networking session for artists, direct presentation of creative paths to the public, a video exhibition projecting all participating works on large screens, and a series of speeches by prominent figures in the cultural world. The stage featured PitturiAmo president and founder Nino Argentati, curator Daniele Radini Tedeschi, critic Roberto Litta, and gallery owner Mario Borgato, with real-time interpreters available to support international participants.

How to participate

The prize is aimed at Italian and foreign artists working in the contemporary field. Applications are submitted through the PitturiAmo network platform, with the possibility of presenting one or more works within a unified authorial project. Eligible categories include painting, photography, digital art, graphic design, and sculpture. For those visiting Rome, the awards day at the MAXXI is an opportunity to discover a vast and international panorama of contemporary creativity in one of the city's most iconic museums.