Digital culture
Digital media and technology are inseparable from the artistic thinking and making process of the makers and designers in this field. Digital makers not only explore what is technically possible, but also ask critical questions about the effect these developments are having on us. Through research and experimentation, they question the impact of technology on the human experience, on society and on the world. They often see themselves as playing the role of ‘hacker’ in this context: they open up the principles behind technology, make this transparent and deploy their knowledge for new purposes, including design purposes, such as new forms of interaction, audience participation and presentation. Their work spans a wide range of formats: from games and installations to festivals, XR productions and AV performances.
development of the field
Technological developments are having a defining impact on the field of digital culture. Because technology develops at a rapid pace, so does the field. New technologies require greater investment in knowledge, equipment and infrastructure. At the same time, the field is largely carried by smaller practices, collectives and hybrid disciplines. It is therefore important that research, development, presentation and knowledge sharing are well aligned, and that there is room for collaboration and networking. This allows practices to scale up without losing the rich diversity of the field.
Through three grant schemes and various thematic open calls, the Fund offers makers, researchers and cultural institutions in digital culture the opportunity to develop their individual practices and professional field. The Digital Culture Grant Scheme focuses on artistic projects where alternative perspectives on our digital society are developed and the boundaries of digital tools, media and technologies are explored. With Open Calls such as Grounding the Cloud, we additionally give the field the space to give direction to the ecological and/or ethical significance of the digital domain. The Artistic & Design Research for Immersive Experiences Grant Scheme encourages large-scale interdisciplinary research into immersive experiences. The Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme supports the development and realisation of immersive productions (sometimes smaller-scale) and strengthens the connection with audiences.
knowledge sharing through coalition building
Immersive experiences (IX) – ranging from virtual reality to interactive games – are seen worldwide as the driving force behind the next big digital transition. With the Artistic & Design Research for Immersive Experiences (ADRIE) Grant Scheme, part of the Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition (CIIIC), the Fund supports consortia of makers, researchers, producers and institutions that are exploring the potential of IX for the cultural and creative sector. Via artistic and design research, they are learning how immersive technologies can strengthen the field, address social issues or create new experiences. Working together with knowledge institutions and partners from the cultural and creative sector, the Fund in collaboration with CIIIC also organises sessions aimed at knowledge sharing, networking and the international positioning of the supported consortia. These sessions give the consortia the opportunity to deepen their own research, while jointly building a stronger professional field for IX in the Netherlands.
collaboration with the field
The Fund stands for collaboration and connection within the field of digital culture. Together with various partners in the field, we are committed to improving the framework conditions for makers to present, deepen and connect their work to broader developments in the field. We do this at international, national and regional levels. We also create space for crossovers between disciplines by collaborating with other national culture funds. The Immerse\Interact Grant Scheme, a joint initiative with the Netherlands Film Fund and the Dutch Foundation for Literature, is an example of this.
CIIIC – The Fund is a key implementing partner of Creative Industries Immersive Impact Coalition (CIIIC), a five-year incentive programme for Immersive Experiences (IX). It is funded by the National Growth Fund and falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and organisationally under CLICKNL. The Fund implements the ADRIE Grant Scheme as part of CIIIC.
Ars Electronica – The Ars Electronica Festival in Linz (Austria) is an important international platform for art, technology and society. The festival connects makers with an international audience and network. Together, we explore opportunities to support makers from the digital culture sector in the Netherlands in presenting their work internationally.
Digital Culture Moonshot – Together with the partners in the strategic partnership Digital Culture Moonshot, we are working to strengthen the digital culture field in the Netherlands. It is an initiative of Cinekid, IDFA, MU Hybrid Art House, NAPA, NFF and the Nieuwe Instituut.
Discover more
