Lommatzsch is close to the major cities of Dresden and Leipzig, which receive all the attention in the federal state in terms of culture with their visual and performing arts offerings. In rural areas, on the other hand, cultural offerings are rare. There are no exhibitions by renowned artists. Objects of art, such as historical monuments or modern sculptures, which usually dominate squares in large cities, are rare in rural areas. Baroque putti or altarpieces can be found in some churches. However, the churches are usually closed outside of church services. And because art and culture are barely visible in the countryside, their relevance for local people is gradually disappearing. Empty municipal coffers reinforce this loss of importance. If there are no funds to maintain roads and schools, no city council wants to spend money on cultural events. That is understandable. But it is wrong to do without art and culture because of this. With the loss of cultural capital, a society also loses its innovative strength. Engaging with works of art awakens the imagination, strengthens creativity and encourages people to want to create something themselves.
The reference to art and culture provides a sense of home, and the imagination in people also promotes balance, a more peaceful coexistence through debate and thus an engagement with the other person’s point of view. Wanting to create also means participating in social developments. Call for entries for the sculpture competition
Under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, the “François Maher Presley Foundation for Art and Culture” and the town of Lommatzsch are organizing the first “Saxon Sculpture Competition: Art and Culture in Rural Areas” throughout Saxony in 2026.
Conditions of participation
All artists who meet the following requirements can participate:
The two second and third-placed artists will each receive an expense allowance of 500 euros.
Place of residence/place of birth: Federal Republic of Germany;
Age: Unlimited;
Artistic qualification:
Completed studies at an art academy or comparable training;
A detailed work proposal (including sketches, e.g. model photos or animations,
description) must be submitted.
A written presentation/cover letter should not exceed a maximum length of one DIN A4 page
;
Submission of an artistic CV with a list of exhibitions and/or projects;
References/work examples (internet references are possible); please do not submit originals, portfolios, catalogs or digital storage media in physical form. A
return cannot be guaranteed.
Willingness to reside in a small urban farmhouse in’Neckanitz for four weeks during the implementation phase. The residency period from June 2026 must be agreed with the organizers. It must take place in the year of the award; that the object is produced in the workshop of the sculptor(s) and on the grounds of the estate in Neckanitz; to hold a weekly public hour in the courtyard of the estate for visitors, school classes or the press, during which the public can participate in the creation process. During the entire stay, 80 hours should be set aside for this purpose; the object should be completed by 31.12.2026 at the latest; the work should be transferred to the town of Lommatzsch after completion.
Exclusion from participation: Persons who have already received an art prize of supra-regional importance
or who work for or with the awarding institutions;
Theme/concept: Sculpture as part of everyday life in rural areas;
Materials and dimensions: Weatherproof and resistant, minimum height 150 cm, without the need to design
a column, as it is mounted on a concrete foundation.
Location/Context: Art and culture in rural areas, town of Lommatzsch, Sachsenplatz;
Number: Only one work may be presented/submitted per participant.
Validity: Only digital applications up to 10 MB with the subject “Sculpture competition
Lommatzsch” by email to . It must be submitted by March 31, 2026
.
Legal and financial aspects
Granting of rights/data protection: By participating in the competition, the artists
grant the organizers the use of all data for publication purposes, including press work, social media, catalog
or other printed matter. The winning object becomes the property of the town of Lommatzsch for the purpose of the
exhibition in public space. The winner waives all further financial or
immaterial claims.
Personal data will be processed as part of the competition procedure and thereafter. By signing
the letter of application, applicants consent to the processing of data in accordance with Art. 13 of the
EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Fee/prize money: Prize money for the realization of the winning design 5,000 euros.
Assumption of costs: Proof of usual travel expenses for project presentation on 18.04.2026 and for
the winner to Neckanitz for the stay;
accommodation costs of the winner in Neckanitz for 30 days;
The procedure:
The jury is made up of seven people.
Three art experts from the foundation;
Mayor of the town of Lommatzsch;
Three representatives of the City Council.
Persons who may have a personal relationship with a
participant are excluded from the decisions.
On April 18, 2026, the five people selected will present their design during a symposium at
Lommatzsch;
A winning design will then be selected by 10.05.2026 by means of a vote on the citizens’ portal and via the Lommatzsch town newsletter
.
Application deadline: March 31, 2026