Regional Alexander Osmerkin Award in fine arts and study of art was founded by Kirovograd Regional Council (Resolution № 409, April 19, 2005) on application of Kirovograd Regional Organization of the National Union of artists of Ukraine.
   The Prize is awarded for:
     · significant achievements in fine arts and creation of impressive works of art in different genres of fine arts (painting, graphic arts, sculpture, monumental art, theatrical-decorating art) that would strengthen national tradition, preserved the foundations of classical art, introduced new forms in fine arts, adapted to the present, were created on a high professional level and have received wide public recognition in Kirovograd region and beyond;
     · considerable investigation of the development of fine arts in Kirovograd region, promotion and consolidation of the achievements of our region;
· considerable contribution to the development of art education, creation of original art-educational programs and their introduction in educational establishments of the region.
   The award is established in three nominations: "national tradition", "modern tendencies", "study and history of arts". Annually on December 8, Alexander Osmerkin's birthday, winners are awarded the title of "Laureate of regional Alexander Osmerkin Award in fine arts and study of art", they also receive certificate, pecuniary reward, badge of laureate of the award, honorary prize of Regional Council and Regional State Administration - statuette of "Steppe eagle".
   Contenders for receiving Regional Alexander Osmerkin Award in fine art and study of arts in 2012 according to the decision of the jury from November 2, 2012 were assigned:
  
   for "national tradition"
     NIKOLENKO Stepan Fedorovich (born 1941) - a painter, graduated from the Krasnodar State Pedagogical Institute, Graphic Art Department (1968), teacher of Alexandria School of Culture. Nominated for the creative achievements of recent years.
     PUNGINA Olha Anatoliivna (born 1968) - a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (2000), graduated from M.B.Grekov Odessa Art School, Painting Department (1989), and from Ukrainian Academy of Printing, speciality "graphic artist of art and technical design of printed matter" (1994), lecturer of Art Department of V.Vynnychenko Kirovograd State Pedagogical University. Nominated for the creative achievements of recent years.

   for "modern tendencies "
     ZHURAVEL (NADEZHDINA) Oksana Mykhailivna (born 1971) - a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (2000), graduated from E.Vuchetich Dnepropetrovsk State School of Arts, Art and Design Department (1995) and The National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, majored in "fine arts and decorative and applied arts" (2003). Nominated for the creative achievements of recent years.

   for "study and history of arts"
     BABENKO Leonid Viktorovich (born 1957) - candidate of pedagogical sciences, professor of Choreographic Disciplines, Fine Arts and Design Department of V.Vynnychenko Kirovograd State Pedagogical University, graduated from K.D.Ushinsky Odessa State Pedagogical Institute, Art and Graphic Department (1984). Nominated for compiling of the manual "Ukrainian fine art", publications "Art and Graphic Department" and "Art Department".
     FRENCHKO Lyudmila Ivanivna (born 1949) - a teacher-methodologist of Kirovograd Music School, a journalist of the newspaper "Vedomosti Plus", graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Philology Department (1973). Nominated for her series of articles in the press and creation of video project "World in sensory images (the past and the present of fine art of Kirovograd Region)".

   The exhibition of S.F.Nikolenko's and O.M.Zhuravel's (Nadezhdina's) best paintings, O.A.Pungina's graphic works are presented in the exhibition halls of the museum. The exhibited works of art vividly present creative style of each artist. L.V.Babenko's and L.I.Frenchko's art criticism works are presented in printed publications.