Human rights are about human dignity. It is also about accountability for egregious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Much needs to be done. It will take tremendous efforts and the good will of all those involved… to foster conditions for peace, justice and reconciliation. Human rights must be central to these efforts.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Geneva, 18 December 2025. On the occasion of minorities day – the anniversary of the adoption in 1992 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities – UN Human Rights (OHCHR) and its partners announce the launch of the fifth edition of the International Contest for Minority Artists (2026). The 2026 theme of the Contest is War and Reconciliation.
Minority artists can play a key role in advancing peace, transitional justice, mutual understanding and reconciliation. Artists document war and conflict by preserving memories, humanizing victims, and challenging official narratives through mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture, installations, digital arts, film, music and dance. Their work can evoke empathy, provoke thought, and serve as a powerful form of protest and a tool for healing and shaping public discourse at all stages of conflict, as well as long after the cessation of open hostilities.
Artists who self-identify as belonging to a national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minority are invited to submit high-quality electronic images of five works of art related to the 2026 theme of the International Contest for Minority Artists. Women and LGBTQI+ artists belonging to minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
The application form also requests information about the artist or artists submitting, as well as a vision statement explaining links between the artworks submitted and the theme of War and Reconciliation.
The application form also requests several affirmations, including consent to be recognized publicly, in the event of a successful application. Consent provided may be withdrawn at any time.
Up to eight, non-hierarchical awards total will be made in the following categories:
- Main Award
- Minority Youth Artist (reserved for artists under the age of 35 and preferentially younger than 24 as of 1 March 2026)
- Minority Community Engagement (reserved for artists whose work actively involves or benefits the wider community, including by demonstrating a strong participatory and/or community mobilization dimension).
The deadline for submission is 1 March 2026. Applications may be submitted in any of the 6 UN official languages on the following links: العربية | 中文 | Français | English | русский | Español.
There is no fee for applying. Any intent to request fees in relation with the application process and the International Contest for Minority Artists should be reported to: ohchr-minorities@un.org. Any threats received in relation to these processes should also be reported there.
Winners are selected by an independent jury. Award winners will be announced publicly in November 2026.
Full details of criteria for evaluation, rules and other modalities, are available in the Concept Note: العربية | 中文 | Français | English | русский | Español.
Share your voice. Drive change.
#MinorityRights #ArtForHumanRights #WarAndReconciliation #MinorityArtists4HumanRights
