AAF/Seebacher Prize for Fine Arts

Fellows learn from highly respected artists, curators, and art critics at the Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts.

Cultivating Artistic Excellence

Each year, the AAF/Seebacher Prize for Fine Arts provides fine arts graduate students studying at American universities, or those who have completed their graduate studies within the past two years, fellowships to participate in the Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts in Austria.

Founded in 1953 by Oskar Kokoschka, the Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts offers a unique working environment at the Hohensalzburg Fortress, situated on a hill overlooking the city. Fellows learn from well-known and highly respected artists, curators, and art critics from around the world and immerse themselves in a European contemporary art scene, quite different from their U.S. academic environment. Fellows reside at Schloss Arenberg for the duration of their studies.

The American Austrian Foundation has administered this program since 2000. It is funded through the generosity of AAF Board Member Gerhard Seebacher and his wife Angelika.

The winners of the 2024 AAF/Seebacher Prize for Fine Arts
“There were several great moments during my time in Salzburg: Everyday I took a walk, crossing the Salzach River, from the New City to The Old City, getting to the fortress. Exploring its history was a dreamlike experience - I loved every minute of it. Moreover, meeting different artists from around the world and working in groups to create art was very exciting.”
Luma Jasin
Artist

Congratulations to the winners of the

2024 AAF/Seebacher Prize for Fine Arts: 

Julia Helen Murray

MFA 2024, Rhode Island School of Design

Vera Weinfield

MFA 2024, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Ariel Wills

MFA 2024, Rhode Island School of Design

AAF/Seebacher Prize for Fine Arts – Application

The application cycle for 2024 is closed. We will begin accepting applications for the next cycle in early 2025.  Please check back then for more details.   

Please submit any inquiries to finearts.prize@americanaustrianfoundation.org.  No phone calls, please.