Munich/Berlin. The BMW Group congratulates the Preis
der Nationalgalerie on its 25th anniversary. Since its establishment
in 2000, the award has recognised artistic positions that
significantly shape contemporary art and has presented them to a wide
audience in Berlin. BMW has been the exclusive partner of this unique
initiative since 2006. To mark the anniversary year, BMW is bringing
another highlight to Berlin: as part of the BMW Art Car World Tour,
the 19th BMW Art Car, designed by John Baldessari, is displayed on the
terrace of the Neue Nationalgalerie. With this world tour, BMW is
celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Cars this year and
next. Back in 2021, BMW, together with the Calder Foundation,
showcased the “Artist’s Proof” of the first BMW Art Car by
Alexander Calder on the same terrace.
The Preis der Nationalgalerie will remain adaptable in the future and
will continue in a new format at the Neue Nationalgalerie from 2026.
From then on, solo exhibitions will honour artists who set
international standards and whose work has not yet been
comprehensively shown in Berlin. With the change of venue,
contemporary art will engage in dialogue with the collection and
history of the Neue Nationalgalerie. The iconic upper hall of the Mies
van der Rohe building provides the ideal setting for a powerful
artistic statement. This is made possible by a dedicated budget funded
by the Freunde der Nationalgalerie and BMW.
“The Preis der Nationalgalerie was established at a time when
contemporary art in Berlin received significantly less support. Today,
Berlin is one of the most important centres for the production and
presentation of contemporary art. With the move to the Neue
Nationalgalerie, we aim to showcase artists whose work has shaped
Berlin and who also possess international appeal. The goal is to place
their works in dialogue with the architecture of the Mies van der Rohe
building, thereby creating a connection between the collection, art
history, and contemporary art,” says Klaus Biesenbach,
Director of the Neue Nationalgalerie.
“We are very proud that the Preis der Nationalgalerie has
developed over the past 25 years into one of the most important art
awards, and that all its laureates have been able to provide key
impulses with their work, both nationally and internationally. The
award has always been distinguished by its ability to respond
positively to changes in the interests of the museum, the artists, and
the audience. This has not only maintained but increased its relevance
over the decades. We look forward to the next stage of its
development,” says Christian Kohorst, Chairman of the
Freunde der Nationalgalerie.
The prize winner will be announced at the end of October 2025. The
exhibition will open in September 2026 during Berlin Art Week. Further
information about the Preis der Nationalgalerie is available here.
The expert jury for the 2026 Preis der Nationalgalerie consists of
international directors: Emma Lavigne (Director of
the Pinault Collection, Paris), Sam Keller (Director
of the Fondation Beyeler, Riehen), and Klaus
Biesenbach (Director of the Neue Nationalgalerie). Eligible
to nominate were not only the jury members but also the curators of
the Nationalgalerie as well as the members of the Freunde der Nationalgalerie.
“The internationally renowned Preis der Nationalgalerie has, for
25 years, demonstrated how art can shape social debates and open up
new perspectives. It stands for innovation, creativity, and cultural
diversity – values that are deeply rooted in the BMW Group. Together
with our partners, we are delighted that art can unfold its impact far
beyond the museum space,” says Alexander Bilgeri, Vice
President Corporate Communications. BMW Group.
The presentation of John Baldessari’s 19th BMW Art Car on the terrace
of the Neue Nationalgalerie is part of the BMW
Art Car World Tour, celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the legendary collection. With this largest exhibition project in
the history of the BMW Art Cars, all 20 vehicles will be shown
worldwide in leading museums and institutions. The series, which began
in 1975 with Alexander Calder, continues to unite outstanding artists
such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, David Hockney,
Jeff Koons, Esther Mahlangu, Olafur Eliasson, Cao Fei, and Julie
Mehretu. For five decades, the BMW Art Cars have combined art and
design, technology and innovation, motorsport and engineering –
embodying the essence of the BMW Group’s global cultural engagement,
which includes over 100 initiatives in contemporary art, music, film,
and design.
The BMW Art Car designed by John Baldessari (1931–2020) is considered
one of the most distinctive works in the series. Known for his
coloured dots and shapes, the Californian artist aimed to create a
“typical Baldessari” and simultaneously crafted an icon of
motorsport. A large red dot on the roof ensures perfect visibility on
the track. The word “FAST” on the driver’s side serves as an
energetic reminder of the essence of racing. On the passenger side,
the vehicle itself is depicted – a tribute to the designers. This
minimalist vehicle was the first Art Car to compete in a race without
sponsor logos and the third – after Roy Lichtenstein (1977) and Andy
Warhol (1979) – to successfully cross the finish line of a 24-hour race.
In 2021, BMW, together with the Calder Foundation, presented the
“Artist’s Proof” of the first BMW Art Car by Alexander
Calder on the terrace of the Neue Nationalgalerie. The occasion was
the opening of the exhibition “Alexander Calder: Minimal /
Maximal,” which marked the museum’s reopening after extensive
renovations. With the presentations of Calder and now Baldessari, BMW
bridges the origins of the Art Car history to the present. Further
information about the presentation of the Artist’s Proof is available
here.
In addition to the Preis der Nationalgalerie, the BMW Group’s
long-term commitments in the capital include the Gallery Weekend
Berlin, which celebrated its 21st edition in May 2025. Alongside its
extensive engagement in the visual arts, BMW also collaborates with
the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and annually invites audiences to the
traditional open-air format “State Opera for All” on Bebelplatz.
The BMW Group’s cultural engagement, including exclusive updates and
deeper insights into its worldwide cultural initiatives, can be
followed on Instagram at @BMWGroupCulture.