Goethe-Institut and Grohs Family reveal shortlisted candidates for the fifth and final edition of the biennial prize.
The Goethe-Institut and the Grohs Family have announced the 20 shortlisted candidates for the Henrike Grohs Art Award 2026. A total of 490 applications were received from 29 countries across Africa, marking the highest level of participation since the award’s inception.
The Henrike Grohs Art Award is a biennial prize established by the Goethe-Institut and the Grohs family in memory of Henrike Grohs, former Head of the Goethe-Institut in Abidjan. The award recognises an artist or arts collective living and working on the African continent and practising in the field of visual arts. The 2026 edition marks the fifth and final iteration of the prize.
Applications closed on 14 November 2025. The selection committee comprised Ken Aïcha Sy, Grace Kalima and Don Handa. Reflecting on the process, the committee described the experience as both demanding and intellectually enriching, citing the maturity, rigour and conceptual depth of the submissions. The committee underscored the importance of platforms such as the Henrike Grohs Art Award in supporting artistic excellence and critical reflection across the continent.
Shortlisted artists
The 20 shortlisted artists for the 2026 award are:
- Adam Yawe, Kenya
- Alida Ymele Epse Siegni, Cameroon
- Aliou Diack, Senegal
- Bright Ackwerh, Ghana
- Fatim Soumaré, Senegal
- Halim Ramses, Egypt
- Katesi Jacqueline Kalange, Uganda
- Lois Arde-Acquah, Ghana
- Mago Aristote Betsaleel, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ntsako Nkuna, South Africa
- Odur Ronald, Uganda
- Olivier Fall Masey, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Omolemo Rammile, South Africa
- Oumar Ball, Mauritania
- Phumlani Ntuli, South Africa
- Rania Atef, Egypt
- Rehema Chachage, Tanzania
- Tegene Kunbi, Ethiopia
- Usha Seejarim, South Africa
- Younès Ben Slimane, Tunisia
The main prize winner will be selected by an international jury, with the announcement to be made online in 2026. The winning artist will receive a cash prize of €20,000 and €10,000 towards a publication of their work. Two runners-up will each receive €5,000.
Motswana artist Kitso Lynn Lelliott was the recipient of the 2024 main prize, selected by a jury comprising Marie Helene Pereira, Meriem Berrada and Tandazani Dhlakama.
Further information on the award and previous recipients is available at www.henrikegrohsartaward.africa.
