Prix Ars Electronica

Since 1987, the Prix Ars Electronica has stood as one of the foremost accolades celebrating the convergence of art and technology. Presented annually by Ars Electronica, this award honors exemplary achievements in electronic and interactive art, computer animation, digital culture, and music.

The highest accolade, the Golden Nica, is bestowed across various categories, including Computer Animation/Visual Effects, Digital Music, Interactive Art, Net Vision, Digital Communities, and the u19—a special award for freestyle computing. This prestigious prize includes a distinctive, hand-crafted wooden statuette plated with gold, inspired by the Greek statue Nike of Samothrace.

Over the years, the Computer Animation/Visual Effects category has recognized remarkable works such as John Lasseter's "Luxo Jr." Pixar's "Toy Story" and Gaëlle Denis's "City Paradise." In the Digital Music category, influential artists like Peter Gabriel, Aphex Twin, and Nicolas Bernier have been acknowledged for their contributions.

Other categories—such as Hybrid Art, the voestalpine Art and Technology Grant, and Interactive Art—have spotlighted innovative projects that push the boundaries of creativity and technology. Introduced in 2004, the Digital Communities category honors impactful online initiatives and communities, with notable winners including Wikipedia, Chaos Computer Club, and Overmundo.

The Prix Ars Electronica continues to celebrate and recognise groundbreaking work at the nexus of art, technology, and innovation, solidifying its status as a premier platform for acknowledging excellence across diverse creative fields.