Leonardo Imagination Fund Awards $50,000 to Innovators in AI Art

Leonardo AI has unveiled the recipients of the Leonardo Imagination Fund, an initiative designed to empower artists who leverage artificial intelligence to push the boundaries of creativity. The fund, which totals $50,000, is awarded to five innovative projects, each receiving $10,000 to further their artistic endeavors, according to Leonardo AI.

Empowering Creativity through AI

This year, the Imagination Fund attracted over 500 submissions from artists across various disciplines, including art, design, film, and interactive experiences. The selected projects exemplify how AI can serve as a tool for artists to delve deeper into their creative visions, blending technology with traditional art forms.

Spotlight on Funded Projects

Among the recipients is Australian multidisciplinary artist Mia Forrest, whose project, “Orchids,” uses AI to digitally cultivate flowers for embossing onto brass plates, challenging the perceived divide between nature and technology. Filmmaker Mateo Mejia, based in the USA, is set to employ a combination of practical effects and AI to create “The Waiting Room,” a film that explores storytelling through a blend of traditional and digital techniques.

Joyce Ng from Singapore, known for her surreal digital artistry, will utilize AI to juxtapose real and AI-generated commuter experiences in her project “Human Error Rate.” French digital artist Lucas Clément plans to expand his dreamcore social media world “Anotherworld” into a cinematic short film and VR experience, offering an immersive exploration of dream states.

Lithuanian experimental media artist Ivona Tau will explore memory and identity through AI in her project “I Wish I Had Told You About the Fieldfares This October,” reconstructing her grandparents’ world using family archives and AI-generated visuals.

Highly Commended Artists

In addition to the main recipients, several other artists received commendations for their visionary projects. These artists include Freddy Chávez (USA/Mexico), Nico Casavecchia (USA), Kezia Barnett (New Zealand), Tedra Wilson (USA), and Majed Al Saied (Canada), each recognized for their innovative use of AI in art.

The Judges’ Perspective

The selection process was overseen by a panel of esteemed judges, including filmmakers and creatives such as Alex Proyas and Mike Dobell. They meticulously reviewed the entries, ultimately selecting projects that stood out for their boundary-pushing creativity and potential to redefine art through AI.

Future Endeavors and Showcase

The funded artists are now embarking on a six-week creative journey, supported by Leonardo AI, to bring their projects to fruition. The culmination of their efforts will be showcased in early 2026, offering audiences a glimpse into the future of AI-driven art.

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