The Skoda Art prize recognizes cutting-edge work demonstrating vision, innovation, and a mature understanding of material and form. The Prize brings to public notice exciting trends in contemporary art, highlighting the output of established mid-career artists as well as new voices. Jurors of impeccable credentials, renowned patron institutions, a dedicated group of advisors, and a management team of proven capability back it.

At least 20 artists will feature in the SKODA Prize Catalogue and the artworks of the final three artists will be exhibited. The SKODA Prize patron, Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council, will offer a four-week residency in Switzerland to the two runners-up of The SKODA Prize 2011. The final winner will be announced in January 2012 and shall be awarded Rs 10 lakhs, apart from earning the prestigious title of The SKODA Prize winner for the year 2011-2012.

This edition will see the introduction of the ‘Breakthrough Artist' award, wherein a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 will be awarded to the most outstanding debut solo exhibition included in the longlist. Since the number of young artists nominated for their debut exhibitions was high, the organizers and the Jury thought it important to acknowledge this phenomenon.

The top 20 finalists for TSP 2011 include artists Jitish Kallat, Prashant Pandey, Navin Thomas, Dhruv Malhotra, Ashish Avikunthak, L. N. Tallur, Reena Saini Kallat, Arunkumar H.G., RAQS Media Collective, Manjunath Kamath, Vishal Dar, Sujith S. N, Sumedh Rajendran. Pooja Iranna, Manish Nai, Aditi Singh, Paula Sengupta Anjali Srinivasan, Srikanth Kolari, Madhuban Mitra, and Manas Bhattacharya.

The jury panel for the award is chaired by prominent philanthropist and art curator Kiran Nadar. The other jury members include Pooja Sood, Director of KHOJ International Artists' Association; and Vivan Sundaran, renowned India contemporary artist. In addition to the eminent Indian jury members, renowned curator and director of the Migros Museum in Zurich, Heike Munder will also be a part of the final judging process. Apart from the jury panel, there is also an advisory committee headed by renowned art critic, Girish Shahane.