We received the following details and thought it worth sharing:
For the third time, Prix Ars Electronica, the foremost international prize for computer-based art, is starting its call for entries for "Digital Communities" projects. The category "Digital Communities" has been a great success in its 2004 and 2005 editions and is singling out for recognition projects of great sociopolitical relevance.
The Digital Communities category is open to political, social and cultural projects, initiatives, groups and scenes from all over the world that display contentious commitment in coming up with smart, successful ways of deploying digital technologies to solve social problems. Particular emphasis is placed on a project's degree of community innovation, its sustainability and its use of technology in a way that makes good sense and is attuned to the needs of the people meant to benefit from it. Digital Communities projects should make it easier for people to access technology, networks and the Digital Commons.
We would like to ask you to help us "spread the word" in your community by circulating the information as widely as possible. We also would be very glad if you could help us identify some projects, which in your opinion should participate in the competition.
For a detailed description of the category, please consult our website
http://www.aec.at/en/prix/communities/communities.asp.
Find the winners of 2004 at http://www.aec.at/en/prix/communities/winners2004.asp and winners of 2005 at http://www.aec.at/en/prix/communities/winners2005.asp
And, of course, my old buddies at the Mixed Reality Lab in Nottingham and Blast Theory won the 2003 Golden Nica for Interactive Art for Can you see me now?, which had more than a small slice of virtual worlds in it.
Posted by: Jim Purbrick | Jan 16, 2006 at 20:13