Call for expressions of interest: Futures_Past Heritage project

Running from July 2025 to March 2027, the two-year initiative will support participating institutions to engage audiences through immersive storytelling formats such as virtual and augmented reality, spatial audio, and interactive installations. The project aims to improve public access to heritage, foster creative partnerships, and develop innovative digital works rooted in historical and cultural archives.

Six institutions will be selected to nominate a collection or body of material for reinterpretation by experienced immersive creators. These works will be exhibited at the participating institutions, with the project providing the artwork, technical setup, and training. Selected representatives will also join a professional mobility programme to France, visiting museums, immersive studios, archives, and cultural events.

The call is open to public and private museums, archives, cultural centres, libraries, heritage organisations, and universities or research bodies that hold relevant collections, are committed to public engagement, and can provide open access to the chosen material. No prior experience in immersive media is required, and institutions will receive full support throughout the process.

Project timeline:

July – November 2025

• Open call and selection of 6 institutions and 6 creative teams

November 2025 – November 2026

• Development and co-production of immersive digital works
• Professional mobility programme to France, including institutional representatives

August 2026 – February 2027

• Public exhibitions of completed immersive works in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi

Governance and steering committee

The Futures_Past project is overseen by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from:

• National and local governments in the culture, heritage, and digital sectors
• Archival and museum institutions across the three countries
• Creative industry leaders and immersive arts practitioners
• Academic and research organisations
• French and Southern African project partners, including IFAS and Electric South

Applications must include an institutional profile, a description of the proposed collection, a statement of interest, contact details for a project lead, and a letter of commitment from the institution’s leadership. Submissions should be sent to info@electricsouth.org by 26 August 2025. Enquiries can also be directed to the same address.

View the original call here.