The VANGUARD Impact Prize is an annual award recognising an artist whose work transcends aesthetics to create meaningful cultural and social impact. Established in 2024, the prize champions art that reshapes narratives, challenges conventions, and opens new possibilities for how we understand the world.
The prize carries an award of $50,000, a solo exhibition within the VANGUARD programme, and a year-long mentorship with leading curators and institutions.
An unrestricted cash prize to support the artist’s practice and development.
A curated solo exhibition within the VANGUARD programme at Cairo Contemporary Arts Centre.
A year-long mentorship with leading curators, critics, and institutional partners.
Hayv Kahraman was awarded the inaugural VANGUARD Impact Prize for her extraordinary body of work exploring displacement, the female body, and cultural memory. Her paintings draw on Persian and Japanese miniature traditions to create deeply personal narratives that resonate across cultures and borders.
“Art is my way of remembering what the body has been forced to forget.”
Nominations for the 2026 VANGUARD Impact Prize are now open. Submit a nomination or learn more about the selection process.