Organizer Information
Operating out of Tokyo, Japan, Aion Laboratory is the specialized digital art division of the Ise-Shima Art Company. Established with a mission to advance contemporary digital artistic expression, Aion Laboratory fosters cross-border recognition for electronic, technological, and new media creators through international competitions, digital curation, and public archiving initiatives.
Title & Description
2nd Aion Digital Art Prize (2026–2027): International Call for Digital & Media Art
Aion Laboratory has officially opened submissions for the 2nd Aion Digital Art Prize. Inviting creators from around the world to explore the expressive possibilities of technology, the open call welcomes a comprehensive range of practices including computer graphics, digital installations, interactive systems, sound art, video, animation, and immersive AR/VR experiences. Evaluated on originality, technical realization, and new conceptual possibilities for digital media, winning entrants receive cash prizes and physical printed certificates dispatched globally.
Categories
The competition accepts All Digital, Media, and Technology-Driven Creative Practices, including Computer Art, Electronic Art, Digital Installations, Interactive Systems, Video Art, Animation, Sound Art & Music, AR/VR, Multimedia, and Text-Based Digital Works.
Eligibility
- Demographic Scope: Open unconditionally to artists of all nationalities and ages worldwide.
- Collaborative & Prior Works: Collaborative group submissions are accepted (creators' names must be separated by slashes). Previously exhibited or awarded works remain fully eligible.
- AI Tool Policy: AI-assisted works are permitted, provided the artist explains the specific usage and purpose of AI in the application form. Works created solely by AI are strictly ineligible.
- Judging Conflicts: Jury members do not evaluate entries submitted by closely connected applicants (including current students or family relatives).
Program Benefits & Awards
- One Grand Prize: ¥50,000 JPY cash award + printed physical certificate dispatched by mail.
- Aion Digital Art Prizes (Up to 35 Awardees): Official printed physical certificates dispatched by mail.
- Global Digital Promotion: Feature publication of winning works, artist social media handles, and portfolio links across Aion Laboratory's website and media channels.
Application Fee
- Entry Fee: ¥3,000 JPY per submitted work (non-refundable).
- Payment Methods: Credit Card or PayPal (settled after submitting the online application form).
- Multiple Entries: Artists may submit multiple distinct works; each work requires a separate application form and fee.
Application Requirements
- Hosting Link: Submit an accessible external URL hosting your work (Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Youku, etc.). ZIP archives combining multiple file formats are permitted.
- Accepted File Formats: Document formats (
PDF,DOCX), Image formats (JPEG,PNG,TIFF), Video formats (MP4,AVI,MOV), and Audio formats (MP3,WAV). - Written Concept & AI Rationale: Provide a written description of the work in the form, including an explicit explanation of any AI tools utilized.
- Link Maintenance: Uploaded links must remain active and accessible to judges through May 5, 2027.
How to Apply
Upload your media to a file-hosting service and submit the link along with your project description via the official application portal.
- Official Application Form:Ise-Shima Digital Art Application Hub
Key Dates
- Applications Open Window: April 1, 2026 – March 1, 2027
- Application Submission Deadline: March 1, 2027, at 23:59 GMT
- Official Results Announcement: May 5, 2027 (via email & website)
- Certificate Dispatch: Within two months of results announcement
Location
All application processing, link hosting, jury scoring, and result announcements take place Online. The hosting organizer is based live in Japan
Copyright & Usage Rights
Applicants retain 100% full copyright ownership of their submitted works. Entering grants Aion Laboratory a non-exclusive license to feature, share, and display submitted works on its website and in promotional materials related to the competition.