Robert De Niro Sr., “Anna Christie Entering the Barn” (1965-1967)

This year’s Tribeca Film Festival will still be picking winners from a pile of nominated indie and otherwise films, but the best of the best will be getting a different prize this year — works of art. Including the likes of Robert De Niro Sr., Inka Essenhigh and Nate Lowman, it’s all about artists giving to other artists.

Besides being featured at the Tribeca Film Festival Awards Ceremony on April 28, the works will also be on display in public exhibitions held itself, held from April 20 to 23 and 25 to 27 at the New York Academy of Art (111 Franklin Street). Rob Pruitt may have given away his own work as prizes for the Rob Pruitt Art Awards (that cheapskate), but the art prize trend hasn’t moved into the mainstream yet. When do we get Jeff Koons-designed Oscars?

Kyle Chayka was senior editor at Hyperallergic. He is a cultural critic based in Brooklyn and has contributed to publications including ARTINFO, ARTnews, Modern Painters, LA Weekly, Kill Screen, Creators...