Win a place on Present Futures: Virtual and Augmented Reality in Art

Present Futures: Virtual and Augmented Reality in Art is a 3-day intensive short course that takes you on a journey through London's vibrant contemporary art scene, with a chance to meet and learn from globally recognised artists, designers, entrepreneurs and art world practitioners.

Now in its second iteration, the RCA and Acute Art’s short course in virtual and augmented reality takes participants on an exclusive visit to Es Devlin’s studio, with a talk from the artist herself.

The RCA is offering two people the chance to win a free place on the course (valued at £2,000 each). Plus, every eligible RCA student staff and alumni who enters will receive a 20% discount on the full course fee*. See below for full eligibility criteria.

This short course has been designed for those interested in or curious about the intersection of VR/AR/AI and contemporary art, including its production, presentation, experience, collection and conservation.

Led by John Slyce (Senior Tutor, School of Humanities) and Daniel Birnbaum (Artistic Director, Acute Art), internationally renowned artists Refik Anadol and Marco Brambilla will also guest speak on the 2024 course, as well as Hans Ulrich Obrist (Curator and Director, Serpentine Gallery), Simon Fox (CEO, Frieze Art Fairs) and more.

RCA academics contributing on the course include Professor Johnny Golding (Philosophy & Fine Art), Dr Ali Asadipour (Computer Science Research Centre), Dr Claude Dutson (Digital Direction), Dr Carolina Ramirez-Figueroa (Information Experience Design) and Jack Hardiker (Digital Direction).

These individuals will share how they are engaging with, exhibiting, collecting, negotiating and understanding the impact of these new technologies on the art world ecosystem.

Present Futures: Virtual and Augmented Reality in Art takes place at the RCA Kensington and Battersea campuses, 180 Strand, plus studio and gallery visits across London on the 9, 10 & 13 May 2024.

Enter by filling out this form and in 250 characters or less, explain why you want to join this one of a kind short course on the impact of immersive technologies on contemporary art and its institutions.

Competition entry is open to the public. To be eligible to enter, you must be aged 21 years or over and available to attend all three short course dates in London: 9, 10 & 13 May 2024. Accommodation and travel not included.

Entry closes at 12pm BST Tuesday 23 April 2024. Two winners will be selected by 12pm Wednesday 24 April 2024 and receive an offer via email, plus every RCA student, staff and alumni who enters will be sent a 20% special discount voucher to book a place on the course to the RCA email provided in the form*.

Winners must confirm their place on the course by 5pm BST Friday 26 April 2024, or they may forfeit their place, in which case another winner/s will be selected from the competition pool.

Contact RCA Executive Education at short-courses@rca.ac.uk if you have any questions.

*Limited places remain, discount offer valid for 2024 Present Futures course only.