The SPORTA 2 quarter has opened the Linstow Art Award art studio, which will serve as the creative workplace for the award’s first laureates – Anna Malicka, Tīna Alise Drupa, and Katrīna Biksone, all graduates of the Master’s program at the Art Academy of Latvia (LMA). The artists were ceremoniously handed the keys to the studio, which they will be able to use free of charge for one year, along with a €3,000 monetary award each to support their professional growth. The opening of the studio marks the strategic goal of the Linstow Art Award – to provide long-term support for emerging Latvian artists, fostering their creative careers and strengthening the role of art in urban development.

“One of the strategic directions for developing the SPORTA 2 quarter is to create an environment where business, creative industries, and contemporary urban spaces complement one another. This approach envisions art existing beyond traditional cultural frameworks, making it accessible to a wider public. Establishing the Linstow Art Award art studio in the SPORTA 2 quarter is a significant step in implementing this strategy, creating a sustainable platform for supporting young artists and enriching the district’s cultural landscape. Art is an integral part of a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable urban environment, inspiring both residents and visitors,” emphasizes Evija Majevska, Commercial Director of Linstow Baltic.

The mission of the Linstow Art Award is to give long-term support to young Latvian artists, ensuring a stronger art community and a lasting presence of art in the city. In its first year, the award received more than 60 applications, from which an international jury of art experts selected three laureates.

Winning the Linstow Art Award and gaining access to the SPORTA 2 quarter studio represents a significant springboard for the laureates’ creative development. Each artist highlights not only the practical benefits of the award in realizing their artistic vision but also the emotional value of working in an environment that fosters inspiration, collaboration, and artistic growth.

• Anna Malicka, 2023 graduate of the LMA Visual Plastic Arts Master’s program, notes that having a dedicated studio will provide optimal conditions for her creative process, allowing her to work on multiple projects simultaneously, focus her activities in one place, and facilitate their organic and structured development.
• Tīna Alise Drupa, 2024 graduate of the LMA Design Master’s program, emphasizes that the prize and studio space will provide essential support for developing research-based creative practice and implementing new projects.
• Katrīna Biksone, 2025 graduate of the LMA Visual Arts Master’s program, stresses that the studio in the SPORTA 2 quarter is a strategic resource enabling her to fully focus on her creative work long-term and prepare for several solo exhibitions already planned for this year.

About SPORTA 2 quarter:SPORTA 2 quarter is a dynamic and promising urban development area in Riga, where modern trends meet the unique historical character of the location. It is a vibrant quarter that is constantly evolving and has become a popular destination for enjoying art, culture, various events, and gastronomy. Located between Riga’s quiet centre and the Hanza district, the quarter is currently home to more than 20 companies and organizations from diverse creative industries. SPORTA 2 quarter is being developed by Linstow Baltic, one of the leading long-term real estate developers in the Baltics across various segments. More information: www.sporta2.com and on Facebook and Instagarm.