Arbeiterkammer Oberösterreich - Art award

AK Art Award (AK-Kunstpreis)

You win a cash prize for an artistic project about the world of work. First place wins 2,500 EUR, second place 1,500 EUR and third place 1,000 EUR, so the total prize money is 5,000 EUR. The Chamber of Labour of Upper Austria (Arbeiterkammer Oberösterreich) gives the award each year together with the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz. Winning works may also be shown in an exhibition in Linz by arrangement. Your project should deal with one or more of these themes: artificial intelligence at work, new forms of work, eco-social justice and sustainability, or social inclusion and diversity in working life.

Who can apply

• University: You are currently enrolled as a student at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz, or you graduated from there no more than three years ago (counting from 1 January 2026).
• Field: You are submitting an art or design project that addresses one of the specified themes relating to current and future working life.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• What you submit: An artistic project judged on its merit. If no entry meets the requirements, no prize will be awarded this year.

How to apply

You should submit your work digitally via the ‘Calls’ system at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz. The closing date for entries is Sunday, 24 May 2026, at 23:59. The winners will be announced at the graduation ceremony on 26 June 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

This prize has very strict eligibility criteria: only current students and recent graduates of a specific university in Linz are eligible to enter, so the pool of entrants is small. If you are studying there or have recently graduated and can develop a compelling project on one of the specified topics, your chances are good. Please note that in some previous years no prize was awarded at all – so the quality of your submission is crucial.