The Ecomic Digital Art Award 2026 call has been published,with the aim of identifying digital artworks capable of interpreting the relationship between cultural heritage and technology.
The initiative is part of the Ecomic Art Program, a programme through which the Ministry of Culture attraverso l’the Central Institute for the Digitalisation of Cultural Heritage – Digital Library and the Directorate-General for Digitalisation and Communication,, promotes contemporary artistic production inspired by digital cultural heritage and encourages dialogue between cultural institutions, artists, and professional communities working with data and technologies.
The theme of the 2026 editionis “The Future of Digital Cultural Heritage”“: an invitation to reflect on the present and on how apparently distant fields – cultural heritage, the economy, art, and everyday lif – are shaped by the same processes of digital transformation and can entrare in relazione interact through new technologies.
The interpretation is open and may explore, among other topics, the relationship between technology, culture and society, artificial intelligence, immersive experiences, and new visual languages.
Which artworks can be submitted
Only digital artworks that have already been completed opere di arte digitale già realizzate by the date of submission may be entered.
Eligible works may be static, animated, audiovisual, generative, or data-driven,, including works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence systems. Where generative AI is used, , the authorial and creative/design contribution must be clearly identifiable and described in the application..
There are no restrictions regarding format, aspect ratio, size, or resolution.
How will the artworks be evaluated?
Applications will be evaluated by a panel of experts with expertise in digital art, contemporary art, and cultural and technological innovation.
The evaluation will consider : relevance to the theme, technical expertise, artistic quality, and creative process,: aderenza al tema, competenza tecnica, qualità artistica e processo creativo, per un massimo complessivo di for a maximum overall score of 100 points..
At the end of the evaluation process , a ranking of merit will be established and the artworks considered most deserving will be identified.
Possible purchase of the artworks
Following the selection process, the Digital Library reserves the right to proceed, through a subsequent and separate administrative procedure,with the purchase of one or more submitted artworks.
If an artwork is purchased, the Call provides for the following amounts:
- €4,900 for the artwork ranked first;
- €3,100 for the artwork ranked second;
- €2,000 for the artwork ranked third.
The amounts are gross of applicable taxes and fiscal charges.Inclusion in the ranking of merit does not automatically entail the purchase of the artwork,which remains subject to a possible subsequent procedure.
From selection to exhibition
The submitted artworks potranno inoltre essere esposte in occasione del Forum Nazionale della Cultura Digitale.
Ownership of the rights to the artwork remains with the author, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Call.
The value of the initiative
Through the Ecomic Digital Art Award the Directorate-General for Digitalisation and Communication and the Digital Libraryas part of Ecomic, are strengthening the dialogue between cultural heritage, contemporary creativity, and technological innovation.
Through the the Ecomic Art Program, digital cultural heritage becomes a field for artistic experimentation and interpretation, terreno di sperimentazione e interpretazione artisticafostering interaction between cultural institutions, artists, and professional communities working with data and technologies.
L’Award contribuisce così a esplorare new ways of reading, representing, and imagining cultural heritage within the digital ecosystemplacing contemporary artistic production at the centre of a reflection on its future.
Who can apply
Participation is open to adults, either individually or collectively,through informal groups, associations, or other organisational forms, as well as to other duly established legal entities.
There are no restrictions based on nationality or place of residence.Each applicant may submit only one application,relating to a single artwork..
How to apply
Applications must be submitted via PEC to ic-dp@pec.cultura.gov.it or,for applicants who do not have a PEC account , via ordinary email to all’indirizzo ic-dp.bandi@cultura.gov.it, entro le ore 12:00 (CET) di lunedì 19 ottobre 2026 (la data del 12 ottobre è stata prorogata con avviso del 12 ottobre 2026 sul sito del Ministero della Cultura).
Si precisa che, anche in considerazione della proroga dell’Avviso, coloro che hanno già presentato la propria candidatura potranno integrarla o modificarla mediante un nuovo invio della documentazione richiesta. In tal caso, ai fini della valutazione, sarà considerato valido esclusivamente l’ultimo invio ricevuto.
Consulta l’avviso e tutte le informazioni per candidarti nella dedicated conference webpage..