COAL Prize 2026: The Night

The COAL Prize 2026 invites artists to defend the night as a common good, a major ecological issue for the regeneration of life, a refuge, a diversity of languages to be celebrated, and a right to rest and darkness. Inventing stories to relearn how to inhabit the shadows and creating art with the night contributes to an ecology of rhythms. The prize supports artistic projects in progress or forthcoming; the grant is intended as support for project development rather than covering full production costs. Awards & Grants: Ten artists will be nominated by a selection committee. From these, a jury will award the following: The COAL Prize: A grant of €12,000 EUR (approx. $21,300 NZD) and a creative residency at the heart of the Domaine de Belval (a rural life and wildlife observatory). Special Jury Prize: A grant of €3,000 EUR (approx. $5,300 NZD). Ateliers Médicis Mention: A residency in Clichy-sous-Bois/Montfermeil, connected to the regional forest of Bondy. Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles/Paris Mention: A grant of €2,000 EUR (approx. $3,500 NZD) and an invitation to exhibit at the Parisian institution. Submission Guidelines: All proposals must be submitted via the COAL server (upload.projetcoal.org) by 23:59 on April 28, 2026. The application must consist of a single PDF file (max 30 MB) named SURNAME_First name_2026_Project title. The PDF must include: The completed application form (downloadable from the COAL website). A detailed description of the proposed project (presenting its artistic dimension and relevance to the theme). A technical note and a budget estimate. At least two HD visuals illustrating the project. A Curriculum Vitae and an artistic portfolio. Judging Criteria: Projects are evaluated on artistic value, relevance to the environmental issues, originality, pedagogy (ability to raise awareness), social/participatory approach, eco-design, project feasibility, and collaboration with nature conservation actors.