Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Lumen Prize celebrates the very best art created with technology through a global competition. Since its launch in 2012, it 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.

  • The 2025 prize pool is $30,000, with ten awards total:

    • Lumen Prize Gold Award ($12,000)

    • Nine category awards ($2,000 each)

    • Early Bird (Jan 31 - Feb 28): $30 per submission 

    • Standard (Mar 1 - May 23): $40 per submission 

    • Extension (May 24 - May 27): $45 per submission

    • Individual artists

    • Artist collectives

    • Creative studios/practitioners

    • Artist-designers

    • Academic researchers/creative teams

  • Yes, if it meets these criteria:

    • Created by identified individual artists/designers/collectives

    • Conceptually driven rather than marketing-focused

    • Experimental or groundbreaking in approach

    • Independent of direct commercial objectives

  • There are nine categories:

    1. Still Image - Digital artworks in fixed form: photography, painting, illustration and AI-generated imagery

    2. Moving Image - Time-based works including film, video art and animation

    3. Performance & Music - Live and recorded works combining digital technology with performance, dance, sound and music

    4. Fashion & Design - Innovative works across fashion, architecture, and product design using digital processes

    5. Hybrid (Digital/Physical) - Artworks that co-exist in both the digital and physical spaces

    6. Experiential - Interactive and/or immersive works including XR, installations, environments and light art

    7. Literature & Poetry - Works exploring language and text through digital means

    8. Nature & Climate - Works examining environmental themes and our relationship with the natural world

    9. Identity & Culture - Works exploring personal and collective identity, heritage and cultural exchange

  • Yes, each entry must be submitted to one of the nine categories.

  • Yes, if the work meets each category's parameters.

  • Yes, you can submit multiple works to the same category, so long as each work meets the parameters of the category.

  • No, there is no time restriction on when the work was created.

    • Artistic concept description (250 words max)

    • Technical details including equipment/software used

    • Dimensions/specifications if applicable

    • Supporting documentation

    • Primary image or video that best represents your work

    • Up to three additional supporting images

    • Videos must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo

    • Additional documentation as needed for interactive/experiential works

    1. International Selectors Committee (ISC) reviews all entries and selects 50-75 finalists

    2. Jury Panel selects category winners and Gold Award winner from finalists

    3. Winners announced in October 2025

    • Finalists announced: August 15, 2025

    • Winners announced: October 2025 (exact date TBA)

  • A $5,000 grant for exhibitions featuring Lumen Prize artists. The requirements are:

    • Must include minimum 3 Lumen artists (2012-2024) or 1 artist from 2025 cohort

    • Confirmed venue partnership

    • Exhibition must open within 12 months of approval