academy:square
Committed, innovative, original: the next generation of students at art colleges has great potential.
A curated special exhibition featuring promising graduates from art colleges in Baden-Württemberg (the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe, the State University of Design in Karlsruhe and the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart) aims to support these young talents as they enter the art market, raise their profile and enable the discovery of previously unseen perspectives.
In cooperation with Monopol and LBBW, up to six artists or collectives from each of these institutions have been selected to showcase their work at the fair.
Support from LBBW
From the very beginning, academy:square has been supported by LBBW. In 2026, LBBW presented its own art prize for the first time – the LBBW academy:square award – which consists of the inclusion of an outstanding work by an artist in the collection.
The future needs new talent – and new talent needs visibility.
Through academy:square, LBBW supports a platform for young artists from the region.
Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe
Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe
abk - Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
Main sponsor of academy:square
transport partner
LBBW academy:square award
2026 winner: Felix Wagner
The LBBW academy:square award was presented for the first time this year. The prize went to Felix Wagner, a graduate of the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe. His works stood out in particular for their originality and power of conviction.
Wagner’s works are being acquired for the LBBW’s renowned collection – a clear sign of the appreciation and support shown for this initiative to promote emerging talent.
“Art opens up spaces for thought, provides inspiration and is an expression of our corporate responsibility and our social commitment. With the LBBW academy:square award, we are now, for the first time, supporting an artist through the exciting transition from art school to the art market,” says LBBW Executive Board member Stefanie Münz.
The expert jury commented on the selection of the award winners as follows:
"Felix Wagner explores urban spaces in search of musical interpretations of tangible structures. The resulting images, through their framing and contrasts, allow the materiality of the urban spaces he encounters to be experienced aesthetically. Even the frame becomes an extension of this experiential space of the captured urban motifs.
The work entitled ‘Broke Youth’ particularly impressed us as a jury; it evokes childhood memories and could be an artefact extracted from the photographic situation. It is rich in allusion, as it allows us to imagine people and their interaction with the vending machine: children’s eyes full of anticipation, exasperated parents, rebellious teenagers, and passers-by unsettled by the visible signs of violence.
‘His exploration of his surroundings gives rise to striking, visually powerful artistic interpretations that aesthetically reinforce the insights gained and culminate in distinctive, characterful works of art.’ (Sarah Haberkorn and Kristian Jarmuschek)
The Expert Jury 2026
- Elke Buhr, Editor-in-Chief of MONOPOL
- Sarah Haberkorn, Head of the LBBW Collection
- Kristian Jarmuschek, Chair of the Advisory Board of art karlsruhe