Schwabach City, Germany, is calling for applications for the Ortung 15 Art Biennale in Schwabach (7–22 August 2027), which includes the Schwabach Art Prize.
In 2025, Schwabach gold beating was included in the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The theme for this edition of the Art Biennale is ‘Inspired by gold’, pays tribute to Schwabach’s history as a gold-beating town.
Schwabach invites artists to transform spaces and locations in Schwabach’s town centre into exhibition and performance spaces in keeping with the theme of ‘Inspired by gold’. The invitation is open to painters, sculptors, graphic designers, textile artists, all types of installation artists (including video and architectural) and computer artists.
An expert panel will select 20 competition entries in a two-stage selection process. The chosen artists will be invited to participate in a second round comprising a colloquium on 6 March 2027. At this point it will be possible to visit and allocate the potential exhibition or design spaces. Concept proposals should be submitted by 5 April 2027 clearly setting out the artist’s vision in terms of linking the space, biennale theme and artistic aims. The final decision on participation in the competition will then be made on this basis.
Artists taking part in the Ortung 15 competition will receive 1,000 EUR to cover their expenses. Additional support for the realisation of the work and the stay on site may be provided, depending on what is possible and on available resources.
The town of Schwabach will offer two art prizes during the Art Biennale: 6,000 EUR for first place and 3,000 EUR for second place. There are also Audience Prizes of 3,000 EUR, 2,000 EUR, and 1,000 EUR.
