A' Virtual and Digital Art Installations Design Awards open 2026 entries

A' Design Award & Competition has opened entries for its 2026 Virtual and Digital Art Installations Design Awards, a global competition for immersive and technology-driven art. The deadline is Sept. 30, 2026, with results due May 1, 2027 and winners set to receive prize packages, publicity support and exhibition opportunities.

Why it matters: - The competition gives digital artists and technology companies a global platform for immersive, interactive work. - Winners can gain publicity, exhibitions in Italy and inclusion in design rankings and classifications. - The awards highlight how virtual, augmented and projection-based art is becoming a broader part of the design market.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition opened calls for entries to the A' International Virtual and Digital Art Installations Design Awards 2026. - The awards are open worldwide to digital installation designers, virtual reality artists, interactive media designers, multimedia artists, digital sculptors, augmented reality designers, projection mapping artists, video game designers, digital performance artists, digital art galleries, digital art collectives, virtual exhibition curators, digital asset creators, software developers, technology companies, consultancy firms and R&D companies. - Eligible works must have been created within the last 10 years. - The competition covers digital installations, interactive projections, VR exhibits, AR installations, digital sculptures, immersive environments, holographic displays, light mapping shows and sound installations.

The details: - The competition uses a two-phase process that starts with a complimentary preliminary evaluation. - Participants can register at A' Design Awards entry page to submit work and receive a preliminary score. - Projects that pass the preliminary stage can move to nomination. - A nominal fee applies for nomination consideration. - The entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2026. - Results will be announced on May 1, 2027. - Sub-categories and descriptions are listed at the category page. - Past winners are available at the winners page.

Between the lines: - The awards are designed to push recognition beyond traditional fine art and into experiential, tech-enabled installations. - The prize structure leans heavily on promotion, including press kits, media distribution and ranking visibility. - The program also uses exhibitions and publicity tools to extend winners' reach after the competition ends.

What's next: - Entrants will first go through preliminary evaluation and, if accepted, nomination. - Professional-edition laureates will receive the A' Design Prize package. - Winners will get a design excellence certificate, lifetime winner logo license, yearbook inclusion, exhibition in Italy, trophy, gala-night invitation, foreign-language translation, entry to prime clubs and placement in several rankings and platforms. - Laureates will also receive an interview published on Designer Interviews and included in press kits. - Award winners will get a press release and a press kit with images, logos, interview material and portfolio previews. - The press kits will be distributed to thousands of accredited press members, and dozens of press partners are expected to publish selected winning projects. - More information is available at designaward.com.