The Lumen Prize Foundation is calling all artists engaging with technology to prepare their best work and enter the competition for 2026.
The Lumen Prize celebrates the very best art created with technology through a global competition.
The total 2026 prize pool is $30,000.
The Lumen Prize upholds a rigorous, two-stage judging process. An esteemed International Selectors Committee meticulously curates a longlist of exceptional artworks, identifying them as finalists. These finalists are then critically evaluated by a distinguished Jury Panel comprising influential figures in art, technology, and culture. Ultimately, the Jury Panel selects the winners, including the prestigious Lumen Prize Gold Award, celebrating groundbreaking artworks fusing creativity and innovation.
Participation is open to individual artists, artist collectives, creative studios/practitioners, artist-designers and academic researchers/creative teams.
There are nine categories for 2026:
- Still Image – Digital artworks in fixed form: photography, painting, illustration and AI-generated imagery
- Moving Image – Time-based works including film, video art and animation
- Performance & Music – Live and recorded works combining digital technology with performance, dance, sound and music
- Fashion & Design – Innovative works across fashion, architecture, and product design using digital processes
- Hybrid (Digital/Physical) – Artworks that co-exist in both the digital and physical spaces
- Experiential – Interactive and/or immersive works including XR, installations, environments and light art
- Literature & Poetry – Works exploring language and text through digital means
- Nature & Climate – Works examining environmental themes and our relationship with the natural world
- Identity & Culture – Works exploring personal and collective identity, heritage and cultural exchange
Since its launch in 2012, the Lumen Prize has awarded more than $100,000 in prize money and created opportunities worldwide for the artists selected as finalists or winners. As a non-profit organization, we fundraise year round to cover prize awards and operating expenses.
Please check the official website for further information.
Lumen Prize 2026 – Entry Fees
Entry fees will be announced once the call for entries opens.