The “Salon Steiermark” displays a cross section of the current art production of the members of the Styrian artist associations. The exhibition will assume the form of a comprehensive presentation in the large exhibition space on the ground floor of the Künstlerhaus, Halle für Kunst & Medien. The artworks on display will be selected by an external jury of experts, who will also award two awards in order to promote exceptional talent. Another prize will be awarded by the visitors of the exhibition, which will be presented at the closing event. Various events and an educational program will accompany the exhibition.

The exhibition format is a reference to Parisian salon-exhibitions, which evolved into the essential event of the French art scene in the 19th century. The Parisian salon was an exhibition of accomplishments, from which the current quality standards of art could be deduced. Following its own institutional history, the “salon” in Graz is a survey of the contemporary art practice of artists who are part of the Styrian artist associations. The succession of short exhibitions divided by association is thereby replaced by a combined presentation. In addition to the awareness for tradition and the close connection of the Künstlerhaus to the region, the “Salon Steiermark” reflects the institution’s aspirations to remain current and relevant.

The members of five artist associations “Steiermärkischer Kunstverein Werkbund”, “Künstlerbund Graz”, “Vereinigung Bildender Künstler Steiermark”, “Berufsvereinigung der Bildenden Künstler Steiermark” and “Sezession Graz” are previously invited to submit two- and three-dimensional artworks (drawings, canvas paintings, prints and sculptures). Thereby, the artists are not guided by a theme as before, but rather, they are encouraged to submit their best artwork from the production year of 2018. Referring to the original salon-idea, a specialist jury, comprised of Johann Baumgartner (education and culture referent, Steiermarkhof), Tanja Gurke (general manager, Grazer Kunstverein) and Günther Holler-Schuster (curator, Neue Galerie at Universalmuseum Joanneum), will select the artworks that will be displayed at the exhibition.

Three of the submitted artworks will be awarded by the jury or the audience: Aside from the main award and the audience award, there will be an award for the promotion of young artists. The main award and the audience award will be presented at the opening, while the audience award will be determined by a voting procedure offered to the visitors of the exhibition and will be presented at the closing event.

On the occasion of the project, the Künstlerhaus will organize various events and an educational program, including concerts, readings and guided tours.