Organizer Information:
The Lumen Prize. A New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit championing groundbreaking artists at the forefront of art and technology. The 2026 Awards Ceremony will be hosted in partnership with the Kunstsilo Museum in Norway.
Title & Description:
Applications are open for The 2026 Lumen Prize.
Currently in its 15th year, this leading international award celebrates the very best art created with technology. The competition connects visionary artists with cultural institutions and audiences worldwide through exhibitions, commissions, and programming.
Category:
Art & Technology, Digital Arts, and New Media.
Eligibility:
- Who: Open globally to all artists working with technology.
- Student Award Limit: The Student Award track is strictly limited to the first 300 entries. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a BA, BFA, MFA, MA, or PhD program (or equivalent) and MUST upload a valid student ID.
- Fairness Policy: To maintain a fair process, The Lumen Prize team strictly abstains from providing any guidance or feedback on the contents of applications.
Program Categories & Awards:
A total prize fund of $30,000 will be distributed.
| Award Category | Prize | Description |
| Gold Award | $15,000 | Selected by the jury as the overall highest-scoring work across all categories. |
| Legacy Futures | $5,000 | For works engaging past, present, and future (memory, storytelling, technological histories). |
| Systems & Structures | $5,000 | For works engaging with cultural, ecological, technological, or social systems (code, data, networks). |
| Experiential Innovation | $5,000 | For works prioritizing audience experience (interactive installations, VR/AR, live coding, participation). |
| Student Award | $2,000 | Sponsored by HKUST. Awarded to an enrolled student; includes an invitation to the Norway ceremony. |
Application Fee & Program Costs:
- Standard Entry Fee: $45.00
- Student Award Entry Fee: $5.00
Application Requirements:
- Applications must be submitted via the Zealous platform.
- Works will go through a rigorous two-stage judging process (a longlist curated by the International Selectors Committee, followed by final evaluation by the Jury Panel).
How to Apply?
Submit your entries through the Zealous online portal linked on the Lumen Prize website.
Key Dates:
- Open Call Begins: January 26, 2026.
- Application Deadline: May 23, 2026, at 20:00.
- Awards Ceremony: November 2026 (at Kunstsilo Museum, Norway).
Location:
Global / Online (Awards ceremony held in Norway).
Contact Information:
Technical Inquiries Email: info@zealous.co