Talent and Support: jumpSTART 2026 Begins
A programme series of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts
Talent and Support: jumpSTART 2026 Begins
A programme series of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts
The most promising students of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts (HUFA) will present their work at three prestigious events in Budapest. This year’s jumpSTART programme series will feature more than 120 artworks, which will be available not only for viewing but also for purchase. All proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go to the students.
Dates: 6 October – 13 November 2026
Venues:
- Godot Institute of Contemporary Art / Godot Art Expo
21 Fényes Adolf Street, 1036 Budapest
6–18 October 2026 - Art Market Budapest
MTK Sportpark, 17 Kerepesi Road, 1148 Budapest
15–18 October 2026 - Student Auction
Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Barcsay Hall
69–71 Andrássy Avenue, 1062 Budapest
13 November 2026
(The exhibition will be open to visitors from 9 November.)
The jumpSTART programme series of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts offers young artists not only an opportunity to present their work, but also a chance to gain first-hand experience of how the art market works and what it means to present and sell an artwork in a real market environment. One of the key aims of jumpSTART is to give young artists the opportunity, already during their university years, to establish direct connections with art-loving audiences and collectors.
A professional jury selected more than 120 artworks from the over 300 works submitted by students. These works will be presented this year at the Godot Art Expo, Art Market Budapest and the HUFA’ Student Auction.
One of the distinctive features of jumpSTART is that all proceeds from the sale of the artworks directly benefit students of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts. Half of the proceeds goes directly to the artist, while the other half is allocated to the university’s social support fund. Based on financial need, the fund provides support to students who face difficulties financing their studies. In this way, purchasing an artwork can not only support the career of a young artist at the beginning of their professional journey, but also contribute to another student’s university experience.
Dr Gergely Dóczi, Chancellor of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, said:
“The jumpSTART series is more than a series of exhibitions or an auction: it gives emerging artists the opportunity to step beyond the walls of the university, meet audiences and engage with the art market, while the events also strengthen the MKE community. When someone purchases a student’s artwork at one of the jumpSTART events, they are not only supporting a young artist, but also contributing to the development of the university’s entire artistic community. For us, the true significance of the programme lies in providing talented students who are willing to take this opportunity with a platform for visibility, and in showing the wider public, through their work, the value created through the educational activities of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts.”
Three venues, more than 120 artworks
The first stop of the programme series is the Godot Art Expo, where works by HUFA students will be presented in a dedicated section from 6 to 18 October. The Godot Art Expo offers emerging artists an opportunity to introduce their work and connects young artists with audiences interested in contemporary art.
The jumpSTART programme will then continue at Art Market Budapest. This year, HUFA will once again participate in the international contemporary art fair, which will take place at MTK Sportpark from 15 to 18 October. Art Market Budapest is one of the region’s major contemporary art fairs and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
The programme series will conclude with the Student Auction, taking place on 13 November 2026 in the Barcsay Hall of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts. The auction will once again be hosted by Gábor Gundel-Takács.
Only works created by students of the university will be offered at the auction. As part of the university’s talent development programme, young artists can test themselves in genuine market conditions, while collectors and art lovers can choose from and purchase works by artists who are at the beginning of their careers but may have significant artistic careers ahead of them.
The results of last year’s Student Auction demonstrate the interest in the initiative: nearly half of the approximately 100 exhibited works were sold, generating a total of almost HUF 12 million in sales.
jumpSTART 2026 – Where fine art begins
