.ART

For the past seven years, the .ART Registry has had the immense honor of hosting the Digital Innovation in Art Award, a recognition that has spotlighted the visionaries reshaping the intersection of art and technology. Alongside our partners at GP Bullhound, we have witnessed not only the evolution of digital artistry but also the impressive trajectory of past finalists and winners who continue to push boundaries in their respective fields. From groundbreaking educational apps to immersive digital experiences, these innovators have demonstrated how technology fuels artistic expression.  

Yet, as we stand at the crossroads of an unprecedented technological shift, it is clear that digital innovation is no longer confined to the arts alone. The internet, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies are now actively shaping the broader spectrum of culture—redefining not just how we create, but how we interact, preserve, and consume cultural narratives.  

We see it everywhere. Museums are experimenting with AI-driven curation and immersive experiences that go beyond traditional exhibition spaces. Institutions like The Serpentine and MoMA are incorporating blockchain into their collections, acknowledging the growing role of digital ownership. Meanwhile, the entertainment industry is being rewritten by AI-generated content, from music composition to screenwriting, raising questions about creativity, authenticity, and authorship. Even cultural heritage sites are leveraging virtual reality to offer unprecedented access to history.  

In response to this seismic shift, we are evolving too. This year, we are thrilled to announce the transformation of our award into the Digital Innovation in Arts & Culture Award (DIAC)—a new name and a new vision to reflect the dynamic changes at play. Our mission remains the same: to celebrate pioneers who are redefining the role of technology in shaping human expression. But our lens is now broader, encompassing not just art, but the entire cultural landscape where digital innovation is leaving an indelible mark.  

“Today the arts and culture are fueled by innovation.  From AI to blockchain, the tools of our time are redefining every layer of culture. With the DIAC award, we embrace this broader canvas and those bold enough to paint on it.”
— Ulvi Kasimov, Founder of .ART 

The jury for this award has previously included representatives from leading institutions such as GoDaddy, the American Alliance of Museums, MoMA, Getty Museum, Sotheby’s, and the Shanghai Biennale.   

“I have been honored to serve as a judge for the Digital Innovation in Arts and Culture Award for three years. This experience has been both enlightening and inspiring, showcasing the ingenuity of the creative community in applying cutting-edge technologies to the arts to educate, engage, and deepen our understanding of humankind.”   

• Dean Phelus, Editor in Chief of Museum Magazine & Senior Director of Special Projects, American Alliance of Museums

Past applicants have included industry leaders like ArtCentrica, Artivive, Well of Art, Stability AI, Verisart, and Singulart, reflecting the caliber of innovation this award attracts.  

“Winning the Digital Innovation in Art Award last year significantly boosted our international visibility and strengthened our credibility with clients. Since then, we’ve become providers for the Italian Ministry of Culture and are finalizing key partnerships—one of which is with The Cornelius Arts Foundation. Together, we’ll be at the ChangeNOW Summit in Paris to promote emotional and creative exploration of art for children through RIZOM and ArtCentrica EDU.”  

• Marco Capellini, Co-founder & CEO,  ArtCentrica, Winner – 2024 edition

Left to right: 2023 Winner Robert Latoś, CEO of Well of Art; Dean Phelus, Head of Special Projects at the American Alliance of Museums, Jury member; Codin-Tudor Popescu, Co-Founder & CEO of ARTIVIVE

“Since participating in the award, we’ve been busy evolving Artivive. Over the past year, we launched a brand-new editor with a more intuitive interface and powerful new features. Most recently, we introduced WebAR, one of our biggest releases yet, making it even easier for artists and audiences to experience augmented reality without an app.”  

• Virag Oszkai, Head of Content, Artivive, Winner – 2023 edition

“Since being longlisted for the .ART Digital Innovation in Art Award, Cosimo has gone from an early concept to thriving a platform, now home to over 1,500 emerging artists. The award recognition gave us early validation and momentum, and we’ve since secured government backing through Innovate UK, raised our first round via crowdfunding with over 150 investors, and partnered with Universities to develop and launch our new suite of AI-powered tools to support artists’ with professional skills.”   

• John Sewell, Founder & CEO, Cosimo.art, Longlist – 2022 edition 

“Since 2019, Artwork Archive has grown into a trusted platform for artists, collectors, and organizations to manage, share, and preserve their artwork. We’ve expanded our global community, introduced tools that make organizing and showcasing collections easier than ever, and partnered with incredible institutions along the way. This year, we launched a powerful new feature that enables organizations to connect with artists through a fully integrated call-for-entry platform. We’ve also rolled out countless other features to support the success of artists and art institutions—while staying true to our mission: making the art world more accessible, organized, and empowered.” 

• Justin Anthony, Co-Founder, Artwork Archive, Winner – 2019 edition

As we launch this next edition, we do so with a renewed determination—to recognize and champion the projects that are not only pushing creative boundaries but also influencing how culture itself is experienced, preserved, and redefined for future generations. Whether it’s through AI-driven storytelling, new economic models for digital ownership, or the reinvention of cultural institutions in the metaverse, we are here to celebrate the visionaries leading this transformation.   

Join us as we embark on this exciting new chapter. Applications for the 2025 Digital Innovation in Arts & Culture Award are now open—let’s shape the future together.