About
Maria Rita Nogueira’s work explores the intersection of movement, gesture, and technology. Her practice integrates interactive installations, movement-based interactions, and AI-driven experiences, creating immersive artworks that invite audiences to reflect on human presence, relational dynamics, and the evolving dialogue between people and machines.
Her research-driven artistic practice explores innovative modes of creative expression, blending visual art, performance, and interactive design. Key projects include Move In Tempo, an award-winning interactive installation, and FORMS, recognized internationally for its performance and conceptual depth. Her works have been presented in solo exhibitions such as Everything is Movement, Everything is Visual (CICA Museum, Seoul) and Move In Tempo (UNESCO World Heritage Machado de Castro National Museum, Coimbra), as well as in group exhibitions including the Intercontinental Biennial (Buenos Aires), Cycle RGB (Ourém, Portugal), and Storytellers + Machines (Manchester).
Maria Rita’s approach combines artistic experimentation with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and movement-based interfaces, creating experiences that challenge conventional perceptions of space, interaction, and the human body. Her work demonstrates how gesture, movement, and machine learning can converge into new forms of visual and interactive storytelling, engaging audiences in meaningful and unexpected ways.
Her scientific and artistic contributions have been recognized internationally. In 2025, she was awarded an Advance HE Fellowship (FHEA) in recognition of her attainment against the Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education. In 2023, she received the Best Presentation and Performance Award at the Technarte Conference in Bilbao for her work FORMS. Her research and artistic practice have been presented at events such as the Greater Boston Digital Research & Pedagogy Symposium 2023 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston (USA). In 2022, her interactive installation Move In Tempo received the award for Best Artwork at the Artistic Residences CRIATECH – Digital Exhibition of Creativity & Technology in Aveiro, Portugal.
She has spoken at various conferences and round tables on the relationship between AI and the arts, including as a Guest Speaker at Dona IAIÁ with Adriana Calcanhotto — “How Creativity Is Born: Composition and AI” (2025), at Millisboa — Roundtable “A.I. – The Good, The Bad, and The Villain” (2024), and at the Artificial Intelligence and Art conference organized by APDSI in collaboration with Ciência Viva (2023).
In parallel to her artistic practice, Maria Rita teaches design, web technologies, and immersive digital experiences, fostering interdisciplinary exploration, experimentation, and critical thinking among students. Her professional and artistic achievements reflect her commitment to pushing the boundaries of art, technology, and human experience.
Awards & Distinctions
Advance HE Fellowship (FHEA). In recognition of attainment against the Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in higher education, UK
Best Presentation and Performance at the Technarte, Bilbao. Technarte is where artists, designers, researchers and companies from all around the world meet to share their vision of the fusion between art and technology in a close and friendly atmosphere.
Best Award of Criatech Artistic Residences. Criatech Artistic Residences is a programme for artistic residences and mentoring with the objective to boost the creativity in STEAM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and to develop mixed skills in creativity and digital competences.
Distinction and Support for the Promotion of Scientific Culture 2021. Winning applications for the Promotion of Scientific Culture (Apoio à Promoção da Cultura Científica 2021) initiative at University of Coimbra.
Finalist at Krakow Choreographic Dance Competition. The basic aim of the competition was to develop the professionality of contemporary dance, to support dancers and choreographers who seek their own artistic language and unique approach to composition. Competition confronts their work with a professional jury. The important part of the competition was feedback in which participants could discuss the reception of their work with jurors and the audience.
1st Prize - Award winning and Best Senior Contemporary Solo at Dance World Cup, Jersey. The piece performed was "Pulso", choreographed by Ricardo Flores.
1st Prize - Contemporary Solo at International Dance Competition (CIB) from Porto. The piece performed was "Pulso", choreographed by Ricardo Flores.
Grant and Internship at Instável Contemporary Dance Company. The Internship grant was received at International Dance Competition from Porto (CIB) and was offered by Instável Dance Company.
Grant and Scholarship at Girne American University Cyprus. The Scholarship grant was received at International Dance Competition from Porto (CIB) and was offered by Mafalda Deville.
1st Prize - Contemporary Solo at International Dance Competition (CIB) from Porto. The piece performed was "In Between", choreographed by Teresa Gouveia.
Grant and Scholarship at Institute of the Arts Barcelona. The Scholarship grant was received at Dançarte and was offered by Nicholette Whitley.