The Twelfth Edition of the International Awards for Art Criticism (IAAC 12) 2026, is open to candidates from anywhere in the world writing in Chinese or English about any contemporary art exhibition held anywhere in the world or on-line between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026. Candidates are invited to write a review of 1,500 English words or 2,500 Chinese characters on any exhibition of contemporary art. The submissions shall not previously have been published anywhere else. The First Prize will consist of a cash award of 10,000 Euros (pre-tax) or the RMB equivalent of this amount (currently, around 80,000 RMB). There will be three Second Prizes, each amounting to 3,500 Euro (pre-tax) or the RMB equivalent of around 30,000 RMB. The level of the Awards is pegged to a fixed amount in Euro, but international Award winners may choose to be paid either in Euro or in RMB at the official exchange rate on the day that the payment is effected. The Organising Committee of the International Awards for Art Criticism aims to support independent critical coverage of contemporary art, away from the immediate pressures of the market, media and private patronage. The Awards are to stimulate good writing, critical thinking and dialogue and research in China, the UK and wider afield. The objectivity of the selection process is underpinned, both by the recognised professionalism of the Chinese and English-speaking jury members and by the strict anonymity of the judging process.