"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)
SŠUP, Hálkova 2968/22,
Žilina
"It's looking blue"
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
V oblakoch
ŠUP, Scota Viatora 6,
Ružomberok
Duša bez rámu
ŠUP, Scota Viatora 6,
Ružomberok
Tajomstvá Sveta
SŠUP, Gagarinova 2490/13,
Topoľčany
otec
ŠUP, Sovietskych hrdinov 369/24,
Svidník
Keď aj nemožné je možné
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
Schrödinger's cat
SŠUP, Kyslá 214,
Hodruša - Hámre
Dva svety
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Obeť predátorom
Spojená škola Nižná, Hattalova 471,
Nižná
A Clockwork Loop
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
And still all alone
ŠUP Ladislava Bielika, Vajanského 23,
Levice
Useless perfection
ŠUP, Akademická 13,
Banská Štiavnica
Šípková Ruženka
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Svetlo
ŠUP, Nerudova 13,
Hlohovec
Zakázané ovocie
SŠUP, Gagarinova 2490/13,
Topoľčany
Introspekcia
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
Paradox v emóciach
ŠUP, Akademická 13,
Banská Štiavnica
Vojačka
ŠUP, Vodárenská 3,
Prešov
snnový paradox
ŠUP, Sovietskych hrdinov 369/24,
Svidník
Život v bubline
SŠUP, Gagarinova 2490/13,
Topoľčany
Paradox moci
ŠUP, Vodárenská 3,
Prešov
IDEAS, CONSTANT
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
DISSONANCIA – nesúlad, disharmónia dvoch svetov
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
Ten, kto by mal byť menší
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Paradox
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Slepá
ŠUP, Nerudova 13,
Hlohovec
Re-peat
SŠUP, Petzvalova 2,
Košice
Odev duality
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Čo sviečka nemá
Spojená škola Nižná, Hattalova 471,
Nižná
Slepá láska
SŠUP, Kyslá 214,
Hodruša - Hámre
Past and Future
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
Topenie sa v budúcnosti
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
Two lovers
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Pokoj
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
Sucho
SŠUP, Môťovská cesta 8164,
Zvolen
Krájanie chleba
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Trauma
ŠUP Ladislava Bielika, Vajanského 23,
Levice
'' Dvojsvetie ''
ŠUP Ladislava Bielika, Vajanského 23,
Levice
Paradox
