25 years of the National Gallery Prize: What it says about Berlin's new self-image

Starting next year, the Nationalgalerie Prize will be awarded at the Neue Nationalgalerie, and that's not the only change. It was established 25 years ago, when Berlin was still young, and so was the art scene. Many artists who have received it since then are now major names in the art world, such as Anne Imhof (2015), Cyprien Gaillard (2011), Monica Bonvicini (2005), and Michael Elmgreen & Ingar Dragset (2002).

While the first editions offered substantial prize money, the winner could soon look forward to a major solo exhibition at the museum. Previously, the award ceremony (complete with a huge party) and the exhibition were held at the Hamburger Bahnhof. Starting in 2026, the exhibition will be held for the first time at the Neue Nationalgalerie – and that's quite something. Filling the entire upper glass-walled hall of the Neue Nationalgalerie and entering into a dialogue with the collection's history is, of course, a great honor. But also a burden. The iconic hall of the Mies van der Rohe building offers an ideal setting for a presentation. But it has to be filled first.

Perhaps that's why the decision was made to change the focus of the prize for its 25th anniversary? The highly popular prize, established by the Association of Friends of the National Gallery and awarded every two years, was formerly called the National Gallery Prize for Young Art. It was aimed at visual artists under 40 (often considerably younger) living and working in Germany. They had already received considerable attention, but were still at the beginning of their careers.

Turning a wish into reality? The National Gallery's new prize

The initiators have now expanded this definition. The goal is to honor "artists who set international standards and whose work has not yet been comprehensively presented in Berlin." This applies to many living artists around the world. Klaus Biesenbach, Director of the Neue Nationalgalerie, added in a statement: "With the move to the Neue Nationalgalerie, we want to present artists whose positions have shaped Berlin – and who also have international appeal."

So it's about bigger numbers, about people who have a more established footing and can handle a larger format. The National Gallery Prize is thus losing its previously very clear profile as a prize for young art. And that's entirely in keeping with Berlin today. It's no longer the young, wild art city of 2000. It's grown enormously and now wants to compete in the international league of players. Perhaps the new prize will help make this dream even more of a reality.

The new winner will be announced at the end of October. There will no longer be a shortlist, just one winner.