"Paradox as Inspiration, Art as the Answer."
With this motto, the KUBIKUM Foundation entered the 5th edition of the START21ART art competition, which annually opens its doors to graduating students of secondary schools with an artistic focus.
The anniversary edition of the competition was announced by the KUBIKUM FOUNDATION on 22 September 2025. The theme for 162 students nominated by their schools was "PARADOX" – a word that provokes, inspires, and at the same time creates space for bold and unconventional interpretations of competition artworks.
The evaluation traditionally took place in two stages. First, the works were assessed by professional juries separately in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, resulting in the selection of the 42 best works advancing to the final round. These were then evaluated by a joint international jury composed of renowned experts, school representatives, and foundation representatives, who ultimately decided on the winners of the current competition year.
At the end of February, a public vote was launched through KUBIKUM's Instagram profile, where the wider public decided the winner of the ONLINE STAR title through their likes.
From the very beginning of its preparations, the 5th anniversary edition aimed to expand the competition with an additional dimension that would bring it even closer to audiences and art enthusiasts. For the first time in the competition's history, we organised a physical exhibition that connected the best works of the current edition with selected works from previous years. The exhibition, held in the New Synagogue in Žilina, created a unique space for meeting and presenting the creativity of young artists.
In addition to offering visitors the opportunity to discover the work of young talents from the Slovak and Czech art scenes, the exhibition also provided art lovers with the chance to become owners of exhibited works. Through an online auction held on the Kubikum register website, 24 original artworks were sold. From the auction proceeds, 80% was paid directly to the artists to support their further artistic education and development.
Also this year, the KUBIKUM Foundation awarded attractive financial and non-financial prizes with a total value exceeding EUR 15,000.
The ceremonial award presentation took place on 18 April 2026 at the New Synagogue in Žilina. With this exceptional evening, we officially concluded the 5th edition of the competition.
START21ART is more than just a showcase of talent. This competition is a significant initiative for young emerging artists, carrying real meaning and impact for the entire artistic and cultural community.
(Assoc. Prof. Marek Sibinský, Competition Juror)
VOŠU a SUŠ, Žižkovo nám. 1300/1,
Praha 3-Žižkov
Paradox je jev zdánlivě popírající přírodní zákony
SUPŠ sv. Anežky České, Tavírna 109,
Český Krumlov
Žádné rychlé po(c)hyby
SŠ Strážnice, J. Skácela 890,
Strážnice
Jeden pohled nestačí
SOŠ multimediální a propagační tvorby, Novomeského 2139/1,
Praha 11-Háje
Místo, kde končí čas
SŠ Strážnice, J. Skácela 890,
Strážnice
Schrödingerova kočka
SŠ Strážnice, J. Skácela 890,
Strážnice
Jseš to co jíš
SOŠ multimediální a propagační tvorby, Novomeského 2139/1,
Praha 11-Háje
spojení nekonečna
SSUŠ designu, Žalanského 68/54,
Praha 17-Řepy
Sorites
ART ECON – SŠ, Husovo nám. 2061/91,
Prostějov
Staré vs. nové
SŠ cestovního ruchu a grafického designu, U Josefa 118,
Pardubice II
Aristotelův paradox
SOŠ multimediální a propagační tvorby, Novomeského 2139/1,
Praha 11-Háje
TOTO NENÍ VÝHRA „Ceci n‘est pas une victoire”
VOŠ a SUŠ Václava Hollara, Hollarovo nám. 2,
Praha 3
Havraní paradox
Střední škola oděvního designu Kateřinky - Liberec, s.r.o., Horská 167,
Liberec 17
Rybí lidař
SOŠ multimediální a propagační tvorby, Novomeského 2139/1,
Praha 11-Háje
Následnost
SUŠ, Všehrdova 267,
Uherské Hradiště
Color-blindness
SŠ Strážnice, J. Skácela 890,
Strážnice
Hranice lidskosti
EKO Gymnázium a SOŠ Multimediálních studií, Na Hrázi 742,
Poděbrady
Labyrint Chladné Mysli
EKO Gymnázium a SOŠ Multimediálních studií, Na Hrázi 742,
Poděbrady
Ztraceni v obraze
SUPŠ sv. Anežky České, Tavírna 109,
Český Krumlov
I'm lying
SŠ Strážnice, J. Skácela 890,
Strážnice
Paradox svobody
EKO Gymnázium a SOŠ Multimediálních studií, Na Hrázi 742,
Poděbrady
Singularita
SŠ řezbářská, Nádražní 146,
Tovačov
The Rabbit Hole
SUŠ, Všehrdova 267,
Uherské Hradiště
Paradox živého mrtvého
