RMIT Digital Design and Art Grants 2026 open call for Vietnamese artists

Administered by the School of Communication & Design at RMIT University Vietnam, the annual program offers an opportunity for designers and artists of Vietnamese nationality to develop a digital project of their own choosing.

Each grantee receives up to VND55 million for production and up to VND50 million for a joint exhibition, along with access to RMIT’s technical resources, curatorial guidance, and an expanding network of partners. Applications for the 2026 edition close on 24 April 2026.

Since its inception, the grants program has produced a remarkable track record. The most significant milestone came from the second edition in 2024, when Hachul Le Do’s animated short ‘The Tale of Tran Thanh Duong’ was selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 in France, making it the first Vietnamese film to screen at the prestigious event since 1997 and only the second in the festival’s history.

Speaking about the work, Hachul noted that it draws from his experience as a Vietnamese transgender person, and that the struggle of transformation is also reflected in Vietnamese mythology – a theme woven throughout the nation’s folklore.

The program has shown consistent growth across its editions. The inaugural grantee in 2020, Ha Ninh Pham, has since gone on to residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris (France) and the ASEAN Artists Residency Programme in Jakarta (Indonesia), with exhibitions across Southeast Asia.

The second edition saw Hachul Le Do and Vu Dieu Huong present ‘Into The Well’ at The Outpost Art Organisation in Hanoi as part of the Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design (VFCD) 2024.

By the third edition in 2025, the program had landed in Ho Chi Minh City: Nhan Phan and Long Tran presented ‘Proxy-mate’ at Gate Gate Gallery, curated by Vietnam Media Lab with additional support from Creative Wall (Nami Foundation).

The grants continue to attract artists recognised on the international stage – Nhan Phan, for instance, is a recipient of the FutureTense Award 2025 and a finalist for the Lumen Prize 2025.

With each edition, the program has deepened its support structure. Exhibition budgets have increased from VND45 million to VND50 million per grantee. The partner network has expanded to include gallery venues in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, festival platforms such as VFCD, and co-sponsors including the Nami Foundation. 

The fourth edition is now open for applications. The program seeks two Vietnamese citizens with demonstrated experience in digital art and design. The application deadline is 24 April 2026. Full details, eligibility criteria, and the application form are available here.

Story: Giang Nguyen Hoang

Masthead and thumbnail images: Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design