Videogames Officially Recognized As “Art” by the U.S. Government’s NEA

The US Government's National Endowment for the Arts now recognizes videogames as a legitimate artistic medium.

The NEA program will now consider videogames worthy of receiving federal funding. Artists in the United States can submit applications to the agency for works that will enhance the public good. Artists who create artwork outside of the commercial world can receive grants of up to $200,000 from the program.

This week, the NEA announced that it would be changing its guidelines regarding its submissions, changing the category of The Arts on Radio and Television to The Arts in Media, which now includes interactive media delivered through the internet.

Projects may include high profile multi-part or single television and radio programs (documentaries and dramatic narratives); media created for theatrical release; performance programs; artistic segments for use within an existing series; multi-part webisodes; installations; and interactive games. Short films, five minutes and under, will be considered in packages of three or more.