Organizer Information
The City of Linz is a major cultural institution in Austria, internationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to innovation in art, technology, and digital culture. As a designated UNESCO City of Media Arts, Linz has built a strong global reputation through its association with Ars Electronica, one of the most influential platforms for media art since 1979. The municipality actively supports artistic production through public funding schemes aimed at strengthening local creative ecosystems, fostering international visibility, and encouraging interdisciplinary experimentation. The LINZ_media_arts program is part of this broader cultural policy, designed to reinforce Linz’s identity as a leading hub for media art and to empower artists connected to the city.
Title & Description
LINZ media arts – Special Funding Program for Media Art 2026
The LINZ_media_arts program is a targeted funding initiative supporting the development and realization of innovative media art projects. The program is designed to amplify the visibility of artists associated with Linz while strengthening the city’s international positioning as a center for media art within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
This call focuses on projects that demonstrate strong conceptual innovation, feasibility, and potential for long-term impact. Selected artists or collectives will receive financial support to produce and present media art projects either locally or internationally. The program particularly emphasizes projects that engage with contemporary technological, cultural, and social questions and that contribute to the discourse of media art beyond regional boundaries.
By leveraging the international attention drawn to Linz through Ars Electronica, the initiative aims to spotlight local practitioners and connect them to broader global networks.
Categories
- Media Art
- Digital Art
- Interactive Art
- Audiovisual Art
- Experimental Film / Moving Image
- Technology-based Art Practices
- Interdisciplinary Art
Eligibility
- Artists and artist collectives
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear connection to Linz (residency, professional activity, or artistic engagement)
- Open to emerging and established practitioners in the field of media art
- International applicants are eligible only if a strong Linz connection is proven
- Projects must align with the program’s cultural, environmental, and social values (e.g., sustainability, inclusivity, non-discrimination)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Total funding pool: €20,000
- Financial support for the realization of selected media art projects
- Opportunity to gain visibility within the international media art scene
- Potential exposure through networks linked to Ars Electronica and Linz’s UNESCO designation
- Institutional recognition and support from the City of Linz
- Strengthening of professional positioning within the European media art ecosystem
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal including:
- Completed official application form
- Project description (max. 10 pages), including:
- Concept and innovative approach
- Artistic methodology
- Detailed implementation schedule
- Artist biography and portfolio (CV, past projects, exhibitions, references, press materials if available)
- Financial plan (budget breakdown and funding structure)
- Short project description (max. 1000 characters)
- Short self-presentation summary (max. 500 characters)
All materials must clearly demonstrate feasibility, artistic quality, and relevance to media art discourse.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 27 April 2026
Location
Linz, Austria
Additional Details
Projects will be evaluated by an expert jury based on the following criteria:
- Innovative potential and originality
- Conceptual clarity and feasibility
- Long-term impact and relevance beyond the local context
- Contribution to the visibility of Linz as a media art city
Applicants should note that funding is competitive and contingent upon budget approval and compliance with municipal funding regulations. Projects must be completed as proposed, and recipients are required to provide proof of proper use of funds. Any significant changes must be reported and approved.
The program strongly encourages projects that reflect sustainability, gender equality, and inclusive practices, aligning with broader European cultural policy frameworks.