Being valued at EUR 20,000, the Ruth Baumgarte Art Award is one of the most highly renumerated art awards in Germany. The winner is chosen by the Board and Advisory Board of the Foundation from a select group of artists. The award is solely awarded by jury, which means every juror presents one candidate.

The founder of the art award, the artist Ruth Baumgarte herself, was connected to many colleagues and an enthusiastic supporter of contemporary artists during her lifetime. With great interest and thanks to her personal vision and values, she confronted herself with current, socio-political, and global issues. She always remained true to her own, artistic position and was filled by a great energetic creativeness throughout her life. In remembrance of her life and work, the Art Foundation awards the Ruth Baumgarte Art Award to a representational artist every year.

Previous awardees winners include