The endowment recognizes creative individuals for outstanding achievements and long-term contributions to the development of the field. Each year, the endowment presents one Lifetime Achievement Award, one Grand Award and six Annual Awards.

In addition, a special Recognition Award is given for dedication to professional activities that have influenced the development of the field. 

Awards are granted on the basis of submitted nominations or on the endowment’s own initiative. Substantiated nominations must be submitted to the endowment by 20 November. Further information is available in the endowment’s funding regulations.

The Annual Awards for Visual and Applied Arts are presented each year at the Cultural Endowment’s joint awards gala.

The names of previous Annual Award laureates can be found here.