The Prix Ars Electronica is the world’s most traditional and prestigious media art competition, offering the Golden Nica award and cash prizes of up to 10,000 euros per category. Winning works will be showcased at the Ars Electronica Festival, held from September 3–7, 2025, in Linz, Austria. The competition is open to innovative projects in digital and media arts.

Information & Application Details:

  • Deadline: March 5, 2025
  • Application Fee: Free
  • Submission Method: Online only; submissions must be fully completed to be valid
  • Confirmation: An email confirmation is sent upon successful submission

  • Key Dates:

    • Submission Opens: January 7, 2025
    • Deadline for Submissions: March 5, 2025
    • Jury Evaluation: April 2025
    • Winner Announcement: July 7, 2025
    • Awards Ceremony & Festival: September 3–7, 2025, in Linz, Austria

 

Eligibility:

  • Open to individuals, groups, and institutions worldwide
  • No restrictions based on nationality or profession
  • Each work can only be submitted in one category, but an artist can submit multiple works
  • Employees of the organizers, sponsors, and jury members are not eligible to participate

 

Categories & Prizes:

  1. New Animation Art – 1 Golden Nica + €10,000, 2 Awards, up to 12 Recognitions
  2. Artificial Life & Intelligence – 1 Golden Nica + €10,000, 2 Awards, up to 12 Recognitions
  3. Digital Musics & Sound Art – 1 Golden Nica + €10,000, 2 Awards, up to 12 Recognitions
  4. u19 – Create Your World (for Austrian youth under 19)
    • Golden Nica + €3,000
    • Young Creatives (0-14 years): 10 awards, up to €2,000 each
    • Young Professionals (14-19 years): 14 awards, up to €2,000 each
  5. Visionary Pioneers of Media Art – 1 Golden Nica

(Note: Categories Artificial Life & Intelligence, Digital Musics & Sound Art, and Digital Communities alternate every two years.)

 

Additional Awards & Parallel Open Calls:

  • Isao Tomita Special Prize (€5,000 + performance at Ars Electronica Festival)
  • Ars Electronica Award for Digital Humanity (€10,000)
  • S+T+ARTS Prize 2025 (2 winners of €20,000 each)
  • European Union Prize for Citizen Science (€60,000)
  • S+T+ARTS Prize Africa 2025 (For African artists at the intersection of art, science, and technology)

 

Submission Requirements:

  • General Conditions: Digital submissions only; original works should not be sent
  • Supporting Materials: Images, text descriptions, videos, and additional project documentation
  • Language: English preferred
  • Postal Submissions (if required): Must be postmarked by March 5, 2025
    • Address: Ars Electronica Linz GmbH & Co KG, Ars-Electronica-Straße 1, 4040 Linz, Austria
    • Reference: Category Name (e.g., “Computer Animation”)

 

Selection Process:

  • International Jury Meeting in Linz (April 2025): A panel of experts selects winners
  • Notifications: Only winners and recognized participants will be contacted
  • Public Announcement: Press release on July 7, 2025
  • Awards Ceremony: During Ars Electronica Festival (September 3–7, 2025)
  • Winners must attend the festival and present their work

 

Program Benefits:

  • Golden Nica Trophy: Modeled after the Nike of Samothrace, hand-carved and gold-painted
  • Cash Prizes: Up to €10,000 per category
  • Exhibition at Ars Electronica Festival: Presentation of selected works
  • Networking & Exposure: Participation in the Prix Ars Electronica Forum (Artist Symposium)

 

Contact & Resources:

  • Organizer: Ars Electronica Linz GmbH & Co KG
  • Address: Ars-Electronica-Straße 1, 4040 Linz, Austria
  • Contact Person: Emiko Ogawa
  • Phone: +43.732.7272-781
  • Email: prix@ars.electronica.art

 

Website link:

Open Call

 

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