From September 3–7, 2025, Linz, Austria, will once again transform into a nexus of art, technology, and society as the Ars Electronica Festival returns with a provocative theme: “PANIC: Yes/No?”
Confronting the Question of Panic
In an era marked by climate crises, technological upheavals, and societal uncertainties, the festival poses a pressing question: Should we be in a state of panic? Or is the pervasive sense of alarm merely a product of sensationalism? This year’s theme invites artists, scientists, and thinkers to explore the spectrum between justified concern and exaggerated fear, encouraging a discourse on our collective emotional responses to global challenges.
POSTCITY: The Heart of the Festival
The central hub for the festival will once again be POSTCITY, the repurposed postal sorting facility that has become synonymous with Ars Electronica. This vast space will host a multitude of exhibitions, performances, and discussions, serving as the epicentre for the festival’s exploration of panic and its implications.
A Platform for Critical Engagement
Ars Electronica 2025 aims to move beyond alarmism, fostering a critical consciousness akin to a “digital immune system,” as described by Artistic Director Gerfried Stocker. The festival will feature a diverse array of events designed to challenge perceptions and inspire proactive responses to the complexities of our time.
Ars Electronica – The Unofficial Home of IMPETUS
2025 marks IMPETUS’s third consecutive year at the Ars Electronica Festival—and the final visit to Linz under the current phase of the IMPETUS project.
To commemorate this milestone, IMPETUS will take on a more prominent role at this year’s festival, participating in a range of events that place citizen science at the centre of the conversation. We’ll be joined by alumni from the IMPETUS accelerator programme, along with contributors from the Ars Electronica Festival, to reimagine citizen science and spotlight its transformative potential. Together, we aim to demonstrate how public participation in science can drive meaningful change and shape a better, more inclusive future.
We’re also thrilled to be celebrating the winners and honourable mentions of the 2025 European Prize for Citizen Science, officially announced on 19 June at the Advancing Public Engagement and Citizen Science in the European Research Area event. The event is organised by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) in collaboration with the EU-funded projects IMPETUS and European Citizen Science (ECS).
Looking Ahead
As the festival approaches, further details on programming, participating artists, and specific events will be released. Attendees can anticipate a thought-provoking experience that not only questions the nature of panic but also seeks pathways toward resilience and understanding.
For more information and updates, visit the official Ars Electronica Festival 2025 website.
