Open call deadline: April 17, 2026
Notification to selected participants: April 27, 2026
Residency period: April–November 2026
Public and professional program: November 4–13, 2026
Registration form available here
What is IMMENSIVA RESIDENCY 2026 – Collective Cartographies?
IMMENSIVA residency is part of the IMMENSIVA Festival, launched in 2019 as the world’s first residency program for artists working with advanced technologies like VR, AR, AI, and sensors.
This year in its seventh edition, it continues to promote digital culture by combining location-based XR multi-user technology (LBXR) with artificial intelligence and collaborative storytelling. Following previous editions that explored multidisciplinary experimentation with VR, AR, AI, and social dynamics, this edition focuses on transforming tangible and intangible heritage into shared, multiuser experiences. The central premise is simple: heritage is best understood when experienced collectively.
About the Residency
From April to November 2026, six interdisciplinary teams will co-create immersive, location-based projects that explore memory, territory, and collective meaning.
The residency combines online production, mentoring, and masterclasses with onsite integration and exhibition at Espronceda – Institute of Art & Culture, Barcelona, and regional showcases. Using cutting-edge tools like XRoam Solutions and STYLY, participants design scalable, adaptable, and accessible experiences for cultural and educational contexts.
The goals of the project
The project aims to design multi-user, location-based XR prototypes that reinterpret cultural heritage using AI-driven storytelling and immersive environments. By empowering artists and developers with expertise in Unity, LBXR, and AI, the program fosters the creation of shared immersive experiences. It seeks to establish a legacy of scalable projects adaptable for educational and exhibition use by museums and community centers. Also, it strengthens the creative ecosystem by connecting creators and institutions through professional networking and public showcases like the IMMENSIVA Expo.
Requirements
- Each team must consist of a minimum of 2 members.
- At least one team member must be an experienced Unity developer and another member should take the role of Creative Director.
- The teams are allowed to invite more team members to their group, however, only two people of each project with the mentioned qualifications will be permitted to travel to the onsite residency program at Espronceda – Institute of Art & Culture in Barcelona.
What does the program offer?
- Full access to ESPRONCEDA’s technological ecosystem, including XRoam Solutions, STYLY, location-based XR (LBXR) experiences, and AI tools applied to art.
- Intensive workshops led by specialists in XR, AI, and digital creation.
- Personalized mentorship and technical support throughout the creative process.
- Participation in IMMENSIVA Expo and IMMENSIVA Day to present projects to professional audiences and institutions.
Project structure and timing
The project is structured into three distinct phases throughout 2026. It begins with an Online Residency (April–October) focused on distributed production, mentoring, and masterclasses. This transitions into an Onsite Residency and Integration (October–November) at the Espronceda Institute of Art & Culture for the final testing and calibration of prototypes.
The program concludes with a Public and Professional Program (November 4–12) featuring the IMMENSIVA Expo and IMMENSIVA Day for networking and public showcases. These activities extend territorially to venues in Neàpolis, Digital Garden, and or the New Art Centre, with plans for regional re-exhibitions throughout 2027.
Also the projects will be promoted within the international XR eco-system.
During the IMMENSIVA Day a jury of experts select the winning project.
Impact, accessibility, and knowledge transfer
IMMENSIVA 2026 reinforces its commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and local engagement through XR experiences that encourage active public participation in heritage interpretation, fostering a collective construction of cultural memory.
Projects are developed as a modular and adaptable LBXR ecosystem, with customizable prototypes that allow exploration of different narratives connected to heritage, territory, and collective memory, integrating AI-driven dynamic layers.
The program ensures accessibility through multiuser experiences designed for diverse audiences, as well as through cultural mediation tools — guides, workshops, and accessible materials — that facilitate understanding and participation.
Additionally, IMMENSIVA promotes knowledge transfer and sector professionalization through open resources, masterclasses, and methodologies that allow institutions and creators to adapt, deploy, and expand projects using tools like Unity.
IMMENSIVA thus establishes itself as a platform for cultural innovation that connects technology, creativity, and social engagement, generating impact beyond the event itself.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity!
Apply to IMMENSIVA residency program 2026 – Collective Cartographies and become part of a creative movement with great potential for growth and visibility.
FAQs
1. Can I apply as an individual?
No. Applications must be submitted by teams of at least 2 members. At least one team member must be an experienced Unity developer and another member should take the role of Creative Director.
2. Can teams include members from different countries?
IMMENSIVA welcomes international and interdisciplinary teams. The two core members have to be based in the same location. Additional team members can be from different locations.
3. Do all team members need to attend the onsite residency in Barcelona?
Yes. At least one representative per team must attend the onsite phase, ideally two. The onsite residencuy is limited to although ideally the whole team participates.
4. What level of technical experience is required?
Teams must include at least one Unity developer and demonstrate the capacity to develop an XR prototype during the residency.
5. Is there a financial contribution for the residents?
The residents are provided with two PICO devices during the residency. They have to be given back upon termination of the project. The winning project can keep the devices. The program covers the cost of the educational programm, mentoring, as well as flights and accommodation for the onsite residency.
6. Do I need to be based in Catalonia to apply?
No. The residency is open internationally, although the program also aims to support projects connected to the local ecosystem.
7. Who owns the intellectual property of the projects?
The authors retain full intellectual property rights to their work. However, the creator agree to a special mention of Espronceda including the statement that the project was developed within the IMMENSIVA Residency framework (including logos).
8. Can projects be developed further after the residency?
Yes. IMMENSIVA supports future circulation and potential re-exhibition of the projects in partner venues and cultural institutions.
9. Will the projects be shown to the public?
Yes. Selected projects will be presented during the IMMENSIVA public and professional program in November 2026. Also the plan is to present them in other locations, also internationally.
Registration form here
Do you have any questions?
Write to us at: info@espronceda.net
For more information: www.immensiva.com
