Short Description
State of the ART(ist) is aimed at artists working under existential threat – be it through political repression, war, surveillance or social inequality. The initiative highlights the urgency of the drastic situation for artists in many countries in order to raise the global question of where political influence and aggression prevent artists from fulfilling their important role for and in society.
In a time of escalating crises, State of the ART(ist) 2025 explores the intersections of art, activism and resistance. The initiative creates a space in which artistic expression acts as both documentation and intervention. The focus is on artists who are exposed to systemic threats, question dominant narratives and open up new avenues for social debate.
Eligibility
Projects can be submitted by artists whose livelihoods are severely affected by the effects of the following threatening situations:
- Conflict zones and political persecution where artists are exposed to censorship, displacement or violence.
- Restrictions on freedom of expression where social and cultural repression limits creative autonomy.
- Environmental crises where climate change and ecological destruction threaten communities and artistic ecosystems.
- Economic and systemic exploitation, where working conditions, resource extraction and global inequalities affect artistic freedom of action.
The prize is aimed exclusively at artists who find themselves in situations and places that can be directly linked to the above criteria and whose individual life situation is therefore characterised by “uncertainty” and “risk”. The answer to the question “What is Risk?” becomes a basic requirement for a valid submission. However, this aspect does not constitute an evaluation criterion for the jury. The jury’s work and the selection of the winners will be based exclusively on the artistic quality of the submitted works.
The State of the ART(ist) initiative is looking for (collective) works, projects and actions at the intersection of art and human rights. (Micro-)performances, pop-up grassroots movements (whether active or inactive), social software, AI projects as well as (e)rights or advocacy projects can be submitted. There are no restrictions regarding formats. Commercial or propagandistic projects are excluded from participation in the competition. The focus is on the message and activity rather than on the tools and materials used to express it.
Individuals as well as collectives can submit: Artists, creatives, curators, writers, critics, scientists, entrepreneurs, associations, public institutions, NGOs, or private enterprises (not limited to), no matter if individuals or groups, can enter the open call.
Anonymous submissions are possible: Submissions can be either personalized or anonymous. We only require an e-mail address as contact.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
- 1 Main prize: The winning project receives €6,000 in prize money.
- 2 Awards of Distinction: The two winning projects will each receive €2,000 in prize money.
- 7 Honorary Mentions
- 10 selected projects will be presented in the virtual Kunsthalle, a dedicated online platform that also serves as a documentation archive and action space for artistic freedom.
- The main winning project as well as selected works by the Award of Distinction winners and the Honorary Mentions will be shown in a physical exhibition at the Ars Electronica Festival 2025, which takes place from September 3 to 7 in Linz, Austria.
- Selected artists will be invited to attend the festival in Linz, gaining access to key industry professionals and expanding their networks within a dynamic and engaged artistic community.
- All works will be included in the Ars Electronica Archive, one of the world’s most comprehensive archives for digital media art since 1979.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Linz, Austria
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2025
Website Link: https://ars.electronica.art/stateoftheartist/en/opencall/
Members Only Area!
Login Subscribe Back To Home