International arts and science awards announce major updates

The Praemium Imperiale, a prestigious international arts award often compared to the Nobel Prize, will announce its 2026 winners on September 8 at the Hotel Excelsior in Rome. The announcement will occur simultaneously in several global cities, including Tokyo, Berlin, London, New York, and Paris. Now in its 37th edition, the award recognizes excellence in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, and cinema, providing winners with a gold medal and 15 million yen.

Established in 1988 by the Japan Art Association, the prize aims to promote art as a universal language for peace. It honors individuals or groups who have achieved significant artistic results or contributed to the promotion and support of the arts.

In a separate cultural event, the 36th Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, which honors scientific research that “first makes people laugh, and then makes them think,” has moved to Zurich, Switzerland. This marks the first time in 35 years that the ceremony has been held outside of the MIT and Boston area. Notable research highlighted includes a physics study that developed a mathematical equation to minimize liquid splashback in urinals by maintaining an impact angle of less than 30 degrees.