A total of nine individuals, associations or groups have been nominated for this year's award. These represent a broad spectrum of cultural diversity in Idar-Oberstein. The decision on the awarding of the Culture Prize is made by a jury. This includes the Lord Mayor, the members of the Culture Committee, one representative of each of the Culture Prize winners from the last three years and a representative of the sponsor. The nominees for the Culture Prize are presented in public, but the jury does not meet in public.
The nominees for the Arts and Culture Award 2025 are
Cuchufleta: Founded six years ago, the theater company creates worlds that invite you to dream and moves between embodied phantasms and messages that inspire reflection. Visitors to this year's street theater festival were able to see this for themselves.
Daaler Hofsänger: For 19 years now, the Daaler Hofsänger have been singing from the bottom of their hearts and full of conviction in their very own regional language about what moves and touches the people in the "Daal" and what makes up their lives in this part of the town of Idar-Oberstein. Sung from the bottom of their hearts and performed with the deepest conviction, as "one's beak has grown".
Dieter Jerusalem: Over the past 50 years, the master lapidary has created an extensive private archive, unique in its scope and completeness, to preserve the history of the gemstone and costume jewelry trade. He has also been instrumental in organizing special exhibitions at the German Gemstone Museum and has written books on the subject.
JFS Events: The aim of this young company is to promote art, culture and encounters in our region - open, collaborative and accessible to all. With their events, they create spaces where people can come together, experience music and feel a sense of community.
Idar-Oberstein Painting and Art School: The painting and art school has existed since 1993 under the artistic direction of Nana Prestel. Currently, around 30 children and young people aged between 6 and 19 are taught in small groups in various subjects. The pupils can already boast a large number of impressive successes.
Midnight Falling: The band brings a breath of fresh air to the German pop-punk scene with honest lyrics, an energetic performance and a sound reminiscent of the early 2000s. In their album planned for 2026, they want to make a clear statement against hatred and exclusion.
Musikverein Tiefenstein: Founded in 1879, the Musikverein not only places great emphasis on music, but also on the shared spirit of togetherness in extra-musical events throughout the year. With his inspiring ideas, conductor Martin Wendel always succeeds in creating very special concerts with the orchestra of generations.
Maria and Maxim Schukov: The married couple Schukov have been giving piano lessons together since 2003 and opened their first music school in the same year. They now run several music schools in the region, and both have directed and continue to direct a large number of choirs and ensembles in the city and district.
Village Blues: Since 1999, the name Village Blues has stood for an earthy and authentic sound. The repertoire includes the classics of the last five decades, songs by current artists and, of course, the blues in all its forms - and all 100% acoustic.
- More detailed information on the nominees can be found on the city's website at www.idar-oberstein.de/kulturpreis.