Open Call for Preziosa Young Design Competition 2027

Since its launch in 2008, the initiative has built a track record of launching careers: selected artists have gone on to secure gallery representation, build lasting professional networks, and see their work exhibited well beyond Florence, backed by the judgment of an international jury of curators, artists, and critics.

The contest is organised by Le Arti Orafe (LAO), Florence's renowned goldsmithing school, founded in 1985 and long committed to nurturing new generations of craftspeople and designers who push the boundaries of the field.


Who Can Apply
PREZIOSA YOUNG is open to artists, goldsmiths, silversmiths, and designers from anywhere in the world. The competition is aimed specifically at working professionals under 35 — candidates must have been born after December 31, 1991 — with an established practice and a demonstrable curriculum. Current students and recent graduates are not eligible.

Entry is free. If selected for exhibition, applicants are responsible for shipping their work to and from Florence, along with related insurance; the organisers cover insurance during the exhibition period itself.

There are no restrictions on technique or material. Pieces may be handcrafted, machine-made, or produced using 3D technologies — the jury evaluates design quality, contemporary use of materials, and conceptual and technical innovation, not the method of manufacture.


Key dates:

• Application deadline: December 31, 2026
• Results announced: Mid-February 2027
   

For updates, follow the official Instagram profile @preziosa_fjw_exhibition.


What's at Stake
Selected artists receive the contest's central prize: inclusion in a travelling exhibition of their work, accompanied by a dedicated catalogue. Beyond that headline honour, several additional prizes are on offer:

• LAO Special Prize — a one-week residency in Florence, with free access to the school's workshops, awarded to one shortlisted artist who applies separately for the opportunity. The recipient will also present their work and professional journey to LAO students.
• Inhorgenta Prize — a complimentary exhibition space at the following edition of the Inhorgenta fair.
• Additional Special Prizes — awarded annually by project partners and announced throughout the year.

The Exhibition Journey
The selected works will debut in Florence in spring 2027 before travelling to other cities and galleries, with a full itinerary released after the winners are announced. A high-quality online catalogue will accompany the show, featuring each artist's biography and full-colour images of their work, alongside a limited print run for the physical exhibitions.

By entering, candidates agree that, if selected, they will make their work available for the full run of exhibition events and will cover shipping, insurance, and customs costs to and from Florence. Selected artists also agree to sell one exhibited piece to the organisers at an agreed price — these acquisitions become part of LAO's permanent PREZIOSA YOUNG collection.


> Read here all the conditions and details to submit your application