DIGITAL ON STAGE
Unleashing the Performing Arts Experience through Digital Innovation
Where the scene comes to you virtually
Digital on Stage is a medium-scale European cooperation project in which we are a partner, funded by the Creative Europe program for the period 2024-2027.
Digital on Stage promotes the development of digital performing arts through productive support to 24 performance projects, training and capacity building actions for professionals in the field, and networking activities.
Six project partners together with CapoTrave/Kilowatt: Intercult (SE), lead partner, Cultuurconnect (BE), CUBE Non-Profit Organization (GR), KID KIBLA (SI), MMMAD Festival (ES).
DOS’s mission:
– lead the digital transformation of the performing arts sector in Europe;
– facilitate the development of expertise on digital technologies;
– provide funding and support for digital productions and emerging digital artists;
– foster the collaboration and networking among artists, performing arts venues, and programmers;
– make performing arts more accessible through innovative digital solutions.
The digital realm – a guide-book to good practices
The project partners have produced a guide-book entitled, The Digital Realm, which identifies good practices that experiment with or reflect on the use of new technologies in the contemporary scene and introduces them through short presentations.
The handbook brings together, as a source of inspiration, 120 recent examples of the application of technologies such as AR, VR, AI, and digital tools in the performing arts, collected through various methodologies. Each partner conducted research using knowledge of the field in their country and asking the chosen entities to describe their practices in their own words. The results of this research form the main part of the guide.
The Handbook on Digital Performing Arts: The Transformation of the Performing Arts
This handbook is the continuation of the guide “The Digital Realm” and consists of 60 video tutorials, each accompanied by a corresponding manual or user guide, which trainers can use to implement their workshops. The 120 resources are each linked to their own QR code. The partners of Digital On Stage present several digital tools (such as VR, AR, AI), applicable to the performing arts, through handouts, methodologies (educational materials, teaching methods), and video tutorials.
Mobility for the co-development of cultural and creative ideas
The DIGITAL on STAGE Mobility Programme in Maribor brought together a vibrant community of artists, cultural professionals, and digital innovators from across Europe, for two intensive weeks of learning, experimenting and co-creating.
Part of the three-year Creative Europe project DIGITAL on STAGE (Project ID: 101173738), this initiative aimed to reimagine the performing arts through the integration of cutting-edge digital tools. In response to the post-pandemic shift toward hybrid and virtual experiences, the programme focuses on equipping artists with skills in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, interactive installations, and streaming platforms — turning technology from a backstage assistant into a central character in performance.
A Week of Immersion
Over five working days, for two consecutive weeks, participants engaged in lectures, workshops, design-thinking sessions, and hands-on labs guided by international mentors. Topics ranged from blending physical and virtual realities, AI-enhanced choreography and scenography, and building immersive 3D worlds, to multimedia performative installations and streaming as a creative tool.
The sessions combined theory with practical application, encouraging artists to design, test, and showcase ideas that blur the lines between performer and audience, reality and simulation.
DIGITAL on STAGE open call: Cascade Funding programme
DIGITAL on STAGE officially launches its open call within the cascade funding programme. The programme supports artists and creative teams working at the intersection of digital technologies and the performing arts, fostering research pathways focused on innovation, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a contribution of €8,000 for each selected project.
The call is open to artists or artistic collectives residing in Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, or Greece who work with digital technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), or Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In addition to the co-funding contribution, the four selected productions will be showcased during 2025 within three major European festivals: MMMAD Festival (Spain), Kilowatt Festival (Italy), and For Real Festival (Belgium).
A total of 24 productions have been selected — four for each partner country — from over 260 applications received.
Italian projects represented by CapoTrave/Kilowatt
- SPOOKY INTERNET STORIES, not to sleep. Goodnight.
Artist: Mara Oscar Cassiani
Produced by: MOC
- Room 404 / Camera 404
Artista/Collective: gruppo nanou
- LANDI’S CUBE – Situated Bodies (working title)
Artist: Margherita Landi
- Techno Freak Show
Artist: Marina Mazzamuto
Produced by: MaNa
During the upcoming edition of Kilowatt Festival (17–25 July), 8 of the 24 winning projects will be presented on 21 and 22 July.
Digital on Stage in the new EACEA Publication
Digital on Stage has been selected to feature in a new publication by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), showcasing fifty projects funded under the Creative Europe European Cooperation projects call.
The publication brings together projects from across Europe, grouped around five key themes: European values and democracy, new practices and models, digital transformation, green transition and sustainability, and youth.
Being included in this publication is a recognition of the work our entire partnership has put into exploring the crossroads of digital innovation and performing arts – and a testament to how cultural cooperation can contribute to a stronger, more democratic Europe.
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CONTACT: lucia.franchi@kilowattfestival.i
