Awards

ADKV – Art Cologne Awards

Every year, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Kunstvereine (ADKV), in collaboration with ART COLOGNE, presents an award for art criticism and an award for art associations. The aim is to promote innovative, outstanding art education and, at the same time, to publicly acknowledge the important role of creative and independent art criticism in contemporary art production.

The ADKV is aware that in both fields—curatorial programming and critical engagement in the media—outstanding achievements must be defended against a one-sided focus on mass-market formats. Art associations often have to overcome considerable resistance to implement innovative projects on limited budgets. Outspoken critics have for years experienced a shrinking of the journalistic space for their work, as well as a decline in financial remuneration. The prizes are intended to honour the commitment of both the associations and the authors. In doing so, a wide variety of associations and programmes have been recognised time and again, and a diverse range of critical formats—from essayists to market critics—have been awarded.

ADKV Wulf Herzogenrath Prize for Volunteering

The ADKV–Wulf Herzogenrath Prize for Volunteering was established in 2024 by the Herzogenrath Foundation in cooperation with the Association of German Art Associations (ADKV) and honours individuals who, over many years, have demonstrated exceptional voluntary commitment to promoting and raising the profile of contemporary art. The prize is awarded in the form of a certificate designed individually for each laureate.
Wulf Herzogenrath, co-founder of the ADKV, is the initiator and benefactor of the prize. It was a matter of great importance to him to honour the diverse voluntary work of art associations with a prize.