15.10.2009, Munich

euward is the European art award for painting and graphic arts by artists with a mental disability. It is the first, and so far the only, prize of international status to be awarded in this sphere of art. Now, the fifth euward is open for entries - the closing date is 22nd February 2010. The prizes will be awarded in the Haus der Kunst, Munich, in November 2010, when the entrants' work will be shown at an extensive exhibition.

In the tradition of "Art Brut", as it was founded by Jean Dubuffet and underwent international development into so-called "Outsider Art", the production of mentally handicapped artists has increasingly developed into an independent artistic scene in recent years. Since the 1970s, supervised studios have grown up across Europe, offering artists the opportunity to develop their own artistic language in a continuous process. They allow mentally handicapped to fulfil themselves as freelance artists commensurate with their talents. Their original artistic creations are a vital impulse in contemporary art.

The euward was instigated in 2000 by the Augustinum Stiftung in Munich to offer mentally handicapped artists a professional forum for their current creative work. The jury includes the artists Marlene Dumas (Netherlands), Leiko Ikemura (Switzerland) and Arnulf Rainer (Austria), and the art historian Roger Cardinal (UK). euward is sponsored by the Augustinum Foundation (Munich) with the support of the Evangelische Kreditgenossenschaft eG (Kassel) and Sanitas Versicherungs- und Wirtschaftsdienst GmbH (Munich). The patron is Emilia Müller, the Bavarian State Minister for European Affairs.

We would appreciate it if you would publish the opening of the competition in your medium. We will be pleased to help if you have any questions, require graphic material or are looking for interview partners.

Press contact for euward5:
Claudia Weber Kommunikation München
Tel. +49 (0)89 540 723 81
mobil +49 (0)170 735 77 75
E-Mail: euward(at)claudia-weber-kommunikation.de