NOVA

We founded NOVA in 2018, fuelled by a general enthusiasm for new creative technologies and the opportunities of expression and experience they offered. Back then, there were very few initiatives in this field in Romania, and only a small artistic community venturing to explore these tools.

Gradually NOVA became a strong platform to leverage social change, proposing a unique angle where these innovative artistic practices joined forces with leading minds from neuroscience and social science.

With 4 previous editions and a 5th one coming up in November 2025, NOVA has a 2-phase structure:

• creative labs happening in the month before the festival, where artists collaborate with scientists to create works inspired by the theme of that respective edition

• The festival, presenting these artworks along with a rich program of other exhibitions, performances, workshops and talks completing the unique experience of the event. Starting 2022, NOVA also offers a development scholarship, NOVA Grow, to two young artists, in collaboration with the international network of partners of the festival.

So far over 100 artists and professionals, from over 15 countries and various scientific research fields have been part of NOVA, including names like Stelarc, Sougwen Chung, Adrien Mondot & Claire Bardainne, Christa Sommerer & Laurent Mignonneau, Vicente Matallana, Mónica Rikić, Myriam Bleau, Anna Ridler, Masa Jazbec, Linz Art and Design University / Ars Electronica, Linz Institute of Technology, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, ddT Lab, Mind Architect, The Research Center for Neuro Performance Enhancement, The International Research and Education Center in Innovative Creative Technologies, Centre for the Promotion of Science Belgrade, Digital Art Lab Foundation, National Art University in Sofia, New Art Foundation in Barcelona, The Culture Yard Denmark, Centre for Immersive Media Art Music and Technology in Germany.

Explore details about previous editions on the festival’s page novanova.ro