The Museo della Città di Livorno will host the exhibition of the eighty finalist artists of the 17th edition of the Combat Prize, scheduled from 4 July to 2 August 2026. The artworks will be displayed in the museum’s galleries, home to a significant contemporary art collection and a key reference point for the city’s cultural life.
Enriching Livorno’s summer cultural programme, the award ceremony will take place in conjunction with Effetto Venezia, the city’s historic festival that attracts a high number of visitors each year, and with Livorno Art Book Fair, the fair dedicated to artist-led and independent publishing.
With the announcement of the new dates and exhibition venue, applications officially open for the 17th edition of the Combat Prize, an international competition dedicated to the promotion and support of contemporary art.
The Prize was established with the aim of identifying and supporting the most significant trajectories in Italian and international artistic research, following the evolution of languages and practices. Through a process of mapping and accurate observation, the Prize seeks to bring to light the most dynamic and vital energies within the contemporary art scene.
Also confirmed for this edition is the Combat Prize Award, valued at €10,000, which will be awarded by the jury to one of the eighty finalist artists. In addition, the section prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Painting; Sculpture and Installation; Photography; Graphics and Drawing; Video/Performance.
The Gallery Special Prize involves the selection of one finalist artist by five leading contemporary art galleries and by the independent space SAC – Spazio di Arte Contemporanea. The initiative aims to foster new collaborations and shared projects, which will take shape during the 2026–2027 exhibition season through the realization of a solo or group exhibition.
The Poliart Special Prize is also confirmed. Promoted by Poliart, a leading company in expanded polystyrene processing, the prize supports the production of a new artwork by an artist selected from among the finalists.
Also confirmed is the The Place Special Prize, promoted by the marketplace The Place in collaboration with Ultracontemporary Art Project aps (U-ART-P aps). The prize consists in the production, at Calcografica Petronilla in June 2026, of a fine art intaglio print in 12 copies plus 2 artist’s proofs (A.P.).
The Special Prizes are designed to encourage and strengthen dialogue between art, enterprise, and the local territory, a fundamental axis for supporting the promotion, visibility, and recognition of contemporary artistic research.
Application deadline: 30 April 2026
For further information: https://www.premiocombat.it/bando