dm-Award Connecting Worlds 2027 Opens Global Projection-Mapping and Interactive Art Call
Purpose and artistic scope
The UNESCO City of Media Arts Karlsruhe in Germany is inviting individual artists and collectives worldwide to compete for the 2027 dm-Award 'connecting worlds'. The awarded project will feature during SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE and Media art is here in August–September 2027. Under the theme PLAYGROUND, creative teams must connect large-scale digital projection on the castle with an interactive intervention in the physical marketplace.
Eligibility and submission
Submissions may be in English or German. The organizer requests applicant details, country of residence, brief biography, a project concept and storyboard of no more than 1,500 characters, technical/material/crew requirements and relevant imagery or media. Send a single dossier as a download link to the advertised organizer email address. Adaptations of previously executed works are allowed; staff of participating organizer or sponsor institutions and jurors are excluded.
Project or programme rules
Two linked but independent components are obligatory: a two- to five-minute projection mapping on Karlsruhe Palace's facade, plus at least one satellite on the Marktplatz capable of functioning even when the projection is not running. Interactive games, installations, immersive formats and audience participation are examples. The public experience at the market square must be freely accessible.
Deadlines, funding and implementation
The detailed rules state a deadline of November 26, 2026 at 13:00 CET, although the official event header displays November 25, so the discrepancy should be confirmed with the organizer. The winner receives a €10,000 award and up to €20,000 net toward production, a budget that must cover technical needs, staff, fees and winner travel rather than being extra personal cash. Completion is due by July 31, 2027 for display August 12–September 13.
Official organizer call
This article provides a summary. To avoid misunderstandings, please be sure to check the official page for full details.
Information verified: October 11, 2026
Competitions, open calls and jobs can be submitted for paid publication through Ise-Shima Art. The linked page is in Japanese.