For the fifth consecutive year, Henkel Central Eastern Europe (CEE) based in Vienna invited artists from 28 countries in Central and Eastern Europe as well Central Asia to participate in the Henkel Art.Award. prize competition. This year, the award will be granted in the field of photography. An international jury led by Carl Aigner, Director of the Niederösterreichischen Landesmuseums in St. Pölten, selected the best photographic works among the more than 370 entries. One of the five finalists nominated by the jury is also the winner of the Henkel Art.Award. 2006, who will be presented to the public within the framework of an award ceremony and exhibition, to be held in Vienna in November.

Henkel Art.Award. - A Contribution to European Integration
The Henkel Art.Award., held since 2002, encompasses three key components of modern art – drawing, photography and design - which alternately serve as the main theme every three years. Artists from 28 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia are eligible to participate. In addition to a monetary prize of 5,000 Euro, the award winner will be granted an exhibition of his works in his homeland, as well as a presentation in Vienna featuring his own works along with the entries submitted by the other finalists. KulturKontakt Austria is serving as Henkel’s partner in the project. This cultural association has been coordinating artistic projects for more than ten years, and sponsors an annual artists-in-residence program for artists from Central, Eastern, and South East Europe.