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IMMENSIVA 2026 PROJECT PROPOSAL

Introduction and objectives

The IMMENSIVA Festival 2026, titled Collective Cartographies transforms Catalonia’s tangible and intangible heritage into shared, multi-user XR experiences powered by AI. From April to November 2026, six interdisciplinary teams will co-create immersive, location-based projects that explore memorXy, territory, and collective meaning.

The IMMENSIVA Festival 2026 continues to advance Catalonia’s digital culture by combining multi-user location-based XR (LBXR) technology with artificial intelligence and collaborative storytelling. After previous editions that explored multidisciplinary experimentation with VR, AR, AI, and social dynamics, this edition focuses on transforming tangible and intangible heritage into shared, multi-user location-based experiences. The central premise is simple: heritage is better understood when experienced collectively.

IMMENSIVA 2026 will maintain the festival’s core structure, including:

  • IMMENSIVA Artist Residency
  • IMMENSIVA Day for professionals and institutions
  • IMMENSIVA Expo

The IMMENSIVA Artist Residency combines online production, mentoring, and masterclasses with onsite integration and exhibition at Espronceda – Institute of Art & Culture, Barcelona, and regional showcases in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Tarragona, and Reus. Using cutting-edge tools like XRoam Solutions and STYLY, participants design scalable, adaptable, and accessible experiences for cultural and educational contexts.

Through collective journeys, AI-enhanced narratives, and spatially synchronized interactions, IMMENSIVA 2026 reimagines heritage as a living, shared experience—strengthening professional skills, knowledge transfer, and Catalonia’s digital culture ecosystem.

 

Key goals of the project:

  • Design multi-user, location-based XR prototypes that reinterpret cultural heritage and territory, integrating AI-driven adaptive storytelling and immersive environments.
  • Train and empower artists and developers in LBXR, Unity, and AI technologies to create shared immersive experiences.
  • Build a legacy of scalable immersive experiences, adaptable by cultural institutions (museums, schools, community centers) for education, exhibition, and heritage interpretation.
  • Strengthen collaboration between creators, institutions, and communities through professional networking, workshops, and mediated visits during IMMENSIVA Day and Expo.

The festival relies on XRoam Solutions and complementary open tools (e.g., STYLY) as the technological backbone, ensuring multi-user synchronization, spatial anchoring, and platform compatibility while supporting sustainable and autonomous deployment.

 

Justification and relevance

Extended reality and AI now enable immersive, multi-user experiences that deepen understanding of heritage and territory. IMMENSIVA 2026 builds on previous editions by reinforcing:

  • Creation of high-quality LBXR prototypes with potential for re-exhibition and wider distribution.
  • Collective exploration of heritage through AI-generated layers that adapt to context, language, and audience needs.
  • Professionalization and long-term impact, with resources such as masterclasses, deployment guides, and public repositories.

The festival emphasizes interaction, co-presence, and participatory exploration, transforming cultural spaces into platforms for shared memory, collective interpretation, and co-creation.

Team selection and Open Call

Through an international call (March – April) –March 2026; selection March–April) 6 projects will be selected. 3 projects with artists residing in Catalonia and at least 2 projects  with residency in Catalonia and at least 2 projects focused on Catalan heritage, with local agents and cultural mediation. 

The size of the teams requires a minimum of 2 people. One profile needs to bring proficiency in Unity to the project while the second should be a  creative director. This core team can add more people to the team (without limitation); however, only two people of each project with the mentioned qualifications will be permitted to travel to the onsite residency program at Espronceda – Institute of Art & Culture in Barcelona.

 

Project structure

Phase 1 – IMMENSIVA Residency Online (April–October 2026):

  • Distributed production, mentoring, monthly QA milestones, and masterclasses.

Phase 2 – IMMENSIVA Residency OnsiteOctober 19 – November 12 2026):

  • Testing, calibration, and installation at Espronceda – Institute of Art & Culture, Barcelona.
  • Integration of prototypes for Expo and public showcase.

 

Public and Professional Program (November 4 –12, 2026):

  • IMMENSIVA Expo: Mediated visits, workshops, and accessible presentations of LBXR prototypes.
  • IMMENSIVA Day: Demonstrations and networking with museums, universities, and XR stakeholders. During that day a jury of experts select the winning project.
  • Territorial extension: showcases in Neàpolis (Vilanova i la Geltrú), Digital Garden (Tarragona), and New Art Centre (Reus), with sector activities in La Casa Urbana / Èpica Foundation.
  • Re-exhibition across regional venues is planned for 2027.

 

General description of the proposal

Thematic Axis and Multi-User Experiences

The project centers on collective spatial journeys where audiences navigate location-based XR experiences, exploring heritage, territory, and memory together. Each LBXR prototype includes:

  • AI-generated environments and adaptive narratives.
  • Multi-user synchronization and spatially anchored interactions.
  • Cultural and territorial storytelling co-created with local partners.
  • Accessible, inclusive design supporting diverse audiences.

 

XR + AI Training and Creation

Selected teams will receive guidance and mentoring in:

  • AI for immersive storytelling (visuals, soundscapes, context-aware content).
  • LBXR and Unity development, including spatial anchoring, session management, and multi-user integration.
  • Cultural mediation, accessibility, and co-creation strategies.
  • Artistic storytelling and collaborative interaction to reinforce collective engagement.

 

Prototypes and Legacy

By the end of the residency, teams will produce exhibition-ready LBXR prototypes that:

  • Represent Catalan heritage and territory, with at least two works specifically focused on local heritage.
  • Demonstrate high artistic and technical quality.
  • Are adaptable for re-exhibition in museums, educational institutions, and community venues.
  • Integrate AI-driven layers for adaptive storytelling and accessible formats.

Social and Inclusion Component

IMMENSIVA 2026 strengthens inclusion, accessibility, and territorial engagement:

  • Collective heritage interpretation: Audiences co-create meaning and negotiate cultural memory.
  • Accessibility: Multi-user, adaptive experiences allow participation for diverse audiences.
  • Cultural mediation: Contextual guides, workshops, and accessible materials support understanding and engagement.

 

Educational and scalable Impact

Modular LBXR Ecosystem:

  • Personalizable experiences: Each LBXR prototype can be arranged for different narratives.
  • Thematic focus: Heritage, territory, and collective memory, supported by AI-driven adaptive layers.
  • Easy editing: Institutions with basic Unity knowledge can adapt and extend prototypes.
  • Open resources: Masterclasses, deployment guides, and public repositories support knowledge transfer and professionalization.