The annual flagship event of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences’ Art Innovations research programme, AVARA Art&Tech, will be held again in November 2025 – this time with a new international main partner and a 10,000 euro prize.
As the main partner of AVARA 2025, ArtTech Foundation will integrate its ArtTech Prize into the event. The award is presented annually to an international startup operating at the intersection of art and technology. The final round and award ceremony will take place in Oulu as part of the AVARA programme on November 20–21, 2025.
– This collaboration brings a new international dimension to AVARA and connects the event to a broader European dialogue around art, technology, and societal impact, says Julia Heikkinen, project manager at Oamk and coordinator of the AVARA event.
Launched in 2017, the ArtTech Prize is a global competition that recognizes startups successfully combining culture and technology. Applications for the 2025 edition are now open via the ArtTech Foundation website. An international jury will select eight finalists, who will be invited to pitch their ideas live in Oulu on November 20, 2025. The €10,000 winner will be chosen jointly by the jury and the event audience.
The selection criteria include the originality of the project, the application of technological innovation to the field of art and culture, customer benefit, market potential, business model and funding, and the team’s expertise.
2025 Theme: PLAY – the engine of creativity
AVARA 2025 delves into the theme PLAY . The event explores the importance of game, play, music and dance as catalysts of creativity and technological innovations – offering space for new artistic forms, interactive experiences and digital experimentation.
The two-day event will feature keynote speeches, workshops, co-creation and, of course, artistic showcases where emerging technologies have been implemented. The ArtTech Foundation will also bring expert speeches by previous ArtTech Prize winners to Oulu and an opportunity to network with international players in the field.
At the heart of Oulu2026
AVARA 2025 will take place just a few months before Oulu begins its European Capital of Culture year in 2026. The event is part of Oamk’s contribution to the Oulu2026 programme, serving as a platform for exploring new forms of art, technology, and education.
More details about the AVARA 2025 programme will be released in summer 2025.
More information: Julia Heikkinen, julia.heikkinen@oamk.fi, 0505288897
