Prix Ars Electronica 2006

Prix Ars Electronica

Since 1987, the Prix Ars Electronica has served as an interdisciplinary platform for everyone who uses the computer as a universal medium for implementing and designing their creative projects at the interface of art, technology and society. The competition is organized by the Ars Electronica Center and ORF’s Upper Austria Regional Studio, and the prizes are awarded during the Ars Electronica Festival each year. The Prix Ars Electronica is one of the most important awards for creativity and pioneering spirit in the field of digital media.

The event calls for entries in seven categories, including a youth competition and a grant for young creative talents. And since internationally renowned artists from over 70 countries also participate in the Prix Ars Electronica, it has established itself as a barometer for trends in contemporary media art.

With over 31,188 entries since 1987 and prize money totalling 117,500 euros annually, the competition offers the largest cash purse for cyberarts worldwide. Each year, six Golden Nicas, twelve Awards of Distinction and approximately 70 Honorary Mentions as well as a grant for the category [the next idea] are presented to participants.

Since media art is such a highly dynamic field, criteria for the categories have to be constantly modified and adjusted to societal and technological developments, and so updated to meet new demands.

The Prix Ars Electronica calls for entries and awards prizes in the following seven categories:

* Computer Animation / Visual Effects
* Digital Musics
* Interactive Art
* Net Vision
* Digital Communities
* u19 – freestyle computing
* [the next idea] Art and Technology Grant