A Cuenca Design Contest Is Opening a Door for Latin American Students

A Cuenca university project is reaching beyond the city and into Latin America.

The University of Azuay has presented Ser al centro, an international design contest for students from Latin American universities.

The contest is part of Olivetti Vivo, a cultural project scheduled to arrive in Cuenca between November 2026 and February 2027.

Who Can Enter

The call is open to students enrolled in design programs or design faculties at Latin American universities.

Participation is free, and students may apply individually or in teams of up to three members.

The contest accepts proposals in areas including graphic design, industrial design, product design, fashion, interior design and architecture.

What Happens Next

An international jury will select 25 finalist projects.

The selected proposals will be part of an exhibition at the Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno de Cuenca as part of Olivetti Vivo.

The exhibition opens on November 25, 2026 and remains open to the public until February 2027.

Prizes And Dates

The main awards are:

• Ser al centro Oro: $600
• Ser al centro Plata: $400
• Olivetti Vivo Bronce: $200

The registration window runs from June 10 to August 31, 2026. Finalists will be selected on September 30, exhibition files are due October 30, and the awards ceremony and exhibition opening are scheduled for November 25.

For expat families with students, educators, designers, architects or art-world friends in Latin America, this is a real Cuenca-linked opportunity to share.