The Rolf Schock Prizes were established and endowed by bequest of philosopher and artist Rolf Schock (1933–1986). The prizes were first awarded in , Sweden, in 1993, and since 2005 are awarded every three years. Each recipient currently receives SEK 400,000 (ca. US $60,000). A similar prize is the Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy, established by the Inamori Foundation.
The Prizes are awarded in four categories and decided by committees of three of the Swedish Royal Academies: