The award ceremony took place on the 26 March, 2019, in the headquarters of the Lithuanian Artists Association (LDS). In recognition of their creativity and work done to initiate and organise the Young Painters Prize project, the 2018 Lithuanian Association of Artists (LMKA) Award was bestowed to the art historian Julija Dailidėnaitė and the painter Vilmantas Marcinkevičius. Their candidacies were put forward by the Lithuanian Artists Association (LDS).
The LMKS Board selected the Award winners on the 11 December, 2018, after the anonymous vote via secret ballot. The Award was given by the President of the LMKA Kornelijus Platelis.
The LMKA Award is traditionally conferred to the Lithuanian artists for the exceptional works of art created during the last two years.
The candidates for the 2018 LMKA Award included: cinematographer Audrius Kemežys (1973–2018), for his talented work and creative contribution to Lithuanian culture (proposed by the Lithuanian Cinematographers Union); writer Kęstutis Navakas for his books Lorelei. 66 Love Letters + 66 Love Poems (2017), The Chronicles of Good Life (collection of essays, 2nd extended edition; 2017), Not Even (poems; 2017), and The Private Lives of Tiny Creatures (novel; 2018) (proposed by the Lithuanian Writers Union); and journalist Laima Lingytė for her active journalistic work during the last two years (proposed by the Lithuanian Journalists Union).
During the last decade (from 2009 onwards) the art historian Julija Dailidėnaitė and the painter Vilmantas Marcinkevičius have been working as the organisers of the Young Painters Prize, one of the leading art events around the Baltic states. The significance of their project lies in it being the first platform dedicated to the young generation of professional painters of the Baltic states.
Both art professionals and wider audiences now regard this project as a cultural indicator that not only shows the newest trends and tracks the creative pulse of the young generation, but also anticipates the future tendencies in the field of art. This is a platform that enables the cultural connections between the Baltic states and welcomes collaborative initiatives. The works by the young creatives are assessed by qualified committees. Various sponsoring companies propose additional awards, and the audience members can select their own favourites by voting online.
The main goals of the project are: promote the most promising and noteworthy young painters; introduce the wider audiences to the art of the young generation; and allow the Lithuanian and international art collectors, managers and curators find their way to the new talents of the Baltic states.
