The “Fred-Thieler-Preis für Malerei” is given to outstanding painters. It was donated by the Berlin painter Fred Thieler (1916 – 1999). Since 1992, the award, which is endowed with 10.000 Euros, has been celebrated on the 17th of March, the birthday of Fred Thieler. The grand old man of Art Informel dedicated the award to artists who live and work in Germany and whose works, independent from trends on the market, point toward the direction of the development of contemporary art by following their own "position signs." The award is connected to a contract (dated March 1991) between the benefactor and the Berlinische Galerie. The contract gave birth to the “Fred Thieler Stiftung,” which is not capable of holding rights and is held on trust by the Berlinische Galerie. The purpose of the foundation is to encourage present-day artists by means of the award. This is associated with an exhibition of the artists’ works and the publication of the laudation.