Prix Arts numériques — open call for €20,000 in digital art in France, organised by the Academy of Fine Arts
This is not merely a competition, but an institutional award that demonstrates that digital art has become an integral part of the classical art world. The Prix Arts numériques, organised by the Fondation Etrillard and the Academy of Fine Arts, offers artists the opportunity not only to receive €20,000, but also to gain recognition within one of France’s most influential cultural circles.
The competition is open to international artists residing in Europe, with no restrictions on age or nationality. Applications are welcome from artists working with digital and new media — ranging from video and generative art to AI, interactive and hybrid formats. It is important that the work constitutes a complete artistic statement that relates to the disciplines of the Academy of Fine Arts and exists within the context of contemporary art.
What you need to know about the ‘theme’
The award does not have a narrow theme, but there is a framework: the work must relate to the Academy’s disciplines. This means that a digital project is judged as art, not as technology.
The Academy’s remit includes painting, sculpture, architecture, film, photography, music and choreography — and your work must engage with these.
Put simply: what matters is not ‘what technology is used’, but what you express through it — in terms of form, image, the body, space and the viewer.
Award Format
The award takes place once a year and comprises several stages. First, the jury reviews the applications, then selects three finalists, after which the winner is chosen.
The finalists are announced in September, the winner in October, and the ceremony takes place in Paris at the Institut de France.
The jury consists of curators, artists and researchers from institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, ZKM and EPFL. This means that the work is considered not as a ‘digital project’, but as a fully-fledged work of art that must stand up to professional artistic scrutiny.
What does the artist receive
The financial aspect amounts to €20,000, but the key value lies not in the sum itself.
The prize offers institutional recognition, the attention of curators and cultural institutions, and the opportunity to establish one’s work within a professional context.
The first prize demonstrated the calibre of the competition – over 400 entries from across Europe. The winning work explores how the value of art is shaped through audience participation and algorithms. This is a good indicator: they are looking for projects that do not simply use technology, but reflect on its impact on art and society.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online and should provide a clear overview of your practice and the work itself. In addition to basic information (contact details, proof of residence in Europe, proof of address), you must upload a CV, a portfolio (minimum 3 works), a photograph, and the work itself.
The key part is the project description: you must explain the concept and title of the work, its connection to the field of contemporary art and the Academy’s focus areas (up to 500 words), as well as provide a separate technical description — the technologies used, format, method of presentation and the logic behind the exhibition. You will
also need to indicate where the work has previously been exhibited, whether it is part of a collection, and provide visual materials (images or video).
Important: it is the completed work that is assessed, not the idea; therefore, the submission is not about a proposal, but about a clear documentation of the existing work and how it functions within an artistic context.
The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026.
