NEU/NOW

This autumn sees the launch of huge new multi-disciplinary arts festival set to showcase the best in emerging talent from across Europe in an innovative virtual and physical environment.


NEU/NOW Live will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, during Vilnius' - European Capital of Culture 2009 celebrations, from the 19th - 22nd November 2009.

The NEU/Now Live Festival will provide a new and unique platform for young creativity from the disciplines of design, film, music, theatre and dance and the visual arts. Organised by The European League of Institutes of Arts (ELIA), NEU/NOW is a fantastic opportunity for current students and recent graduates, and jotta has teamed up with ELIA, to create NEU/NOW virtual- the online component of the festival.

The NEU/NOW Live Festival will provide a perfect opportunity for artists, designers, musicians and performers to present and promote their work within a professional forum, receive constructive feedback, and gain invaluable networking opportunities. If selected, your creativity can help set the benchmark. "We're laying emphasis on innovative work in particular.

"Floris Solleveld, the NEU Now Live Event Coordinator, explains the kind of work ELIA are seeking, "And since the first part of the festival is virtual, it sure will help if it already looks appealing online."

ELIA have orchestrated a number of innovative and inspiring creative projects which focus on uniting students fro across the 350 ELIA member arts institutions.
Watch one of the wonderful films from their 2007 project…I See You Peek into some of the amazing murals painted by a host of fine artists from ELIA schools across the rooms of HOTEL BLOOM. The annual short fim competition organised by ELIA, Languages Through Lenses is a cinematic celebration of Europe's linguistic diversity. Watch some of the 2008 winners of Languages through lenses here. And get a sneak preview at the entrants from 2009 here.

If you're project is chosen for NEU/NOW, you and your school will be part an innovative programme of 700 arts-based events scheduled in 2009 for the Vilnius celebrations, that will ultimately reshape perceptions of the host city, Vilnius. In the same vein, the 2008 European Capital of Culture, Liverpool received widespread acclaim after hosting a number of highly successful arts projects. Held in conjunction with Tate Liverpool, these included a football themed sculpture from Polish artist Pawel Althamer, a specially designed board game entitled 5Dimensional Everything by Liverpool artist Nina Edge.While international media attention during 2008 reaffirmed Liverpool as a cultural destination, it communicated the work of many emerging artists involved within the 2008 Capital of Culture projects to a greater audience.

Artists, designers filmmakers and musicians are now invited to submit project proposals for the NEU Now Live Festival via member institutions before June 10th. Entrants must be a student or recent graduate of an ELIA affiliated arts institution. All short listed work will receive financial assistance with presentation costs for the exhibition finale in Vilnius.
Submit your project here.

By Nick Davies