Exhibition of the 5th Edition of the International Contest for Minority Artists

Awards ceremony on 24 November, from 19:00 to 21:00.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00.

First launched in 2022, the International Contest for Minority Artists is organized by UN Human Rights (OHCHR), the NGOs Freemuse and Minority Rights Group (MRG), and the City of Geneva, with the support of the Centre des arts of Ecolint and the Loterie Romande. The Contest for Minority Artists serves as a platform for minority artists human rights defenders, celebrating their role in building bridges of understanding, dialogue and empathy locally and worldwide through creative and artistic means. 

This year, the fifth edition of the International Contest for Minority Artists explores the theme “War and Reconciliation”. The 2026 theme invites artistic explorations at the intersection of identity, territory, place and community, in a world shaken by the climate crisis, systemic discrimination and cultural erosion.

At the awards ceremony on 24 November, the 2026 Competition jury will honour and celebrate eight outstanding winning artists from around the world, whose creative visions are as diverse as their backgrounds. Each of the 2026 laureates stands out for their sustained artistic commitment and their ability to transform intimate and collective experiences into resonant works of art. Through their creative practices, these artists act as advocates for human rights, shedding light on the complex realities of national, linguistic, religious and ethnic minorities, and bearing witness not only to injustice and loss, but also to renewal, care, resilience and strength.