“State of the ART(ist)” focuses on artists who face threats to their existence. These threats may come in the form of repression or political persecution by unjust regimes or democratically legitimized governments. They may also face danger due to open hostilities, loss of livelihood from environmental disasters or natural catastrophes, and precarious living conditions due to exploitation.

“State of the ART(ist)” includes an Open Call as well as a presentation of the winning projects at the Ars Electronica Festival – September 3 to 7, 2025. The project is a collaboration between Ars Electronica and the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.