Cross-innovation trip to Ars Electronica 2026

Creativity meets robotics

16.03.2026

What happens when humanoid robots don't just work, but feel, play, perform and tell stories? When technology is not just built, but designed? We invite CreativeTech actors from Bavaria to be part of a curated cross-innovation journey to Ars Electronica, one of the world's most important festivals for media art, technology and society.

Ars Electronica is one of the world's leading festivals for art, technology and society. In order to specifically promote networking between the cultural and creative industries, robotics, research and industry, the Cross-Innovation Journey 2026 to Ars Electronica brings together creative tech players from the NPP with robotics companies and representatives from science and research. The aim is to further develop robotics and AI through creative perspectives and promote interdisciplinary cooperation - for new ideas, best practices and innovative partnerships.

The trip is organized by Bayern Innovativ Kreativwirtschaft in cooperation with Ars Electronica and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi).

Applications are now open and the deadline for applications is June 10, 2026.

Click here for the Open Call

Tentative program, subject to change!

Program | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | Opening

The first day of the festival is dedicated to learning about best practices, getting to know one another, and finding inspiration.

Morning

Individual Travel

starting at 12:30 p.m.

Arrival and Getting to Know Each Other

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Science + Technology + Art Tour

Guided tour offering insights into selected art-x-tech projects, including meetings with participating artists and researchers

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Insights into the collaborative practices of the Ars Electronica Futurelab and its current industry projects

7:30 p.m.

Opening of Ars Electronica 2026

Public event at the Mariendom in Linz

Program | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | Innovation Day

The second day of the program is dedicated to knowledge sharing and the program kickoff. The group will have the opportunity to discuss ideas for Art-x-Tech programs, followed by conversations with people who are already successfully implementing such programs.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Guided Tour of the Ars Electronica Center

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Customized Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Ideation Session I

4 × 30 min.: Each company meets with up to 3–4 artists

starting at 5:00 p.m.

Networking and dinner together

Program | Friday, September 11, 2026 | Future Day

The day aims to foster alliances between science, technology, and artistic practice that effectively drive innovation. The second ideation session is designed to help participants understand common areas of exploration. The tour concludes with a visit to the impressive, immersive world of Deep Space 8K at the Ars Electronica Center.

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ideation Session II

Workshop groups on specific topics identified from the call for proposals

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Scheduled Tour of the Tobacco Factory

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Networking and a group lunch

starting at 5:00 p.m.

Individual Return Trip

Goals of the Trip

The goal of the Cross-Innovation Journey is to initiate concrete follow-up projects between CreativeTech stakeholders and companies in the robotics sector, as well as representatives from science and research, and to establish sustainable, practical collaborations. To this end, the journey specifically brings together people, ideas, and perspectives from both fields and creates a space where initial ideas can grow into something more: new partnerships, initial prototypes, and concrete joint projects.

What emerges here has an impact beyond the trip itself: Promising approaches can be further developed and specifically supported afterward, with a clear focus on enabling long-term collaboration and genuine innovation.

Participants in the Cross-Innovation Journey

The jury has convened and selected the participants from all eleven sub-sectors of the cultural and creative industries (CCI). The jury has convened and selected the participants from all eleven sub-sectors of the cultural and creative industries (CCI). These 11 creative professionals will travel together to Linz, each bringing different experiences, working methods, and perspectives: