As autumn settles in and daylight wanes, the Ars Electronica Center in Linz transforms into a destination for young explorers seeking hands-on discovery. Running from October 15 through the end of November, three interconnected programs—Kids' Culture Week, a fall break holiday schedule, and the "Hurray November" culture month—invite children to engage with science, technology, and creativity through workshops, interactive stations, and immersive presentations in Deep Space.

Kids' Culture Week: October 15–25

Now in its 14th year, Kids' Culture Week represents Upper Austria's broadest cultural offering for young visitors, expanding across approximately 30 venues throughout Linz since its inception in 2013. The festival invites participants to encounter, handle, and actively participate in cultural experiences through a diverse slate of workshops, performances, and hands-on stations.

At the Ars Electronica Center, the Kids' Research Lab operates daily except Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the week. Two dedicated workshops are also scheduled: the Magic Laboratory on Friday, October 16, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., where children playfully investigate scientific principles using water, colors, and common household items; and Moon Camp on Friday, October 23, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., focusing on how humans meet their basic needs in space environments.

Weekend visitors can participate in drop-in sessions without advance registration through the "Open Engagement" program. These include Mic Check on Saturday, October 17, where participants observe microorganisms through microscopes; Ding Ding on Sunday, October 18, creating sounds via tactile interaction; Future Matters on Saturday, October 24, experimenting with programmable materials; and Zirkus Robotikus on Sunday, October 25, where homemade robots compete against each other. All weekend sessions run from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, Deep Space 8K presents virtual cultural tours in both 2D and 3D formats on October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, each from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Children and teenagers under 14 enter free; accompanying adults pay 12 euros; workshop participation costs 2 euros per child.

Holiday Program: October 28–30

The fall break brings a three-day intensive program of construction, exploration, and experimentation, each session running from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Moon Camp on Wednesday, October 28, targets children aged 9 to 11, inviting them to imagine life beyond Earth and conceptualize space station designs. The Magic Laboratory on Thursday, October 29, serves ages 6 to 8 with investigations into scientific phenomena. Hack the Facade on Friday, October 30, welcomes ages 10 to 12 to use the building's media facade as their creative canvas.

The Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor continues its sponsorship of the holiday program. Each workshop costs 15 euros per participant; children whose parents hold AK-OÖ membership attend at no charge.

Registration opens up to three days before each workshop date via email at center@ars.electronica.art or by calling +43 732 7272 0, subject to available spots. Families are encouraged to bring beverages and light snacks.

Full workshop details are available at https://ars.electronica.art/center/en/ferienprogramm/

Hurray November!

Throughout November, designated as the "Month of Culture," members of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor receive admission to the Ars Electronica Center for just 1 euro with their benefit card, with unlimited visits allowed. This discount extends to other Linz museums and the Museum Arbeitswelt Steyr. Children of AK-OÖ members gain free entry. AK-Kultur and its partner organizations also distribute discounted tickets for cultural events, exhibitions, and museum tours, available while supplies remain.

Source: Ars Electronica