Page 279 - AC/E's Digital Culture Annual Report 2015

AC/E Digital Culture Annual Report 2015279launched back in 1967 and 1971, which was aimed at establishing networks of artists and technology companies in southern California. Its mission is to support artistic experimentation that uses emerging technology. The laboratory offers financial assistance and the use of resourc- es and makes the museum’s facilities available to artists for developing projects and prototypes.In order to take part, it is necessary to submit a proposal which, if selected, can be developed for one year in different forms. Some of the themes of the proposals selected to date are the aero- space industry, astrophysics, augmented reality and robotics, all in relation to art. The resultsof the residencies are presented to the public in lectures, courses and exhibitions.As well as receiving institutional funding, this project is supported by technology companies such as Google, Accenture, Daqri and Space.ARTLAB+,169 run by Hirshhorn Museum, received the Smithsonian’s award for innovation and education in 2014. Its mission is to get teenagers between thirteen and nineteen to experiment and learn about art and technology. For this purpose they work directly with artists and educators, fostering the construction of their own creative community. The idea is to encourage critical thinking in education to turn young people into committed citizens, building their skills so that they lead the next generations of the most innovative sectors of society.Teenagers who sign up at an ARTLAB+170 are taught decision-making skills and choose their own activities and projects on video, photog- raphy, music, videogames or graphic design.Taking the museum’s own exhibitions as a point of departure, they are advised and guided by a team of artists and museum professionals. They can design their own events, join the museum’s production teams or work on their own project in the workshops.This initiative receives financial support from the Keith Haring Foundation, the Goldberg Foundation and the Smithsonian’s programme of grants for young people.As stated in the introduction, a few museums have set up Fab Labs on their premises, in accordance with the philosophy established by the MIT as part of the existing international network of these labs.In the United Kingdom, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum opened its first Fab Lab171 in 2013. This museum, located in the birthplace of the country’s industrial revolution, is at the forefront of design and industrial production. Keeping this spirit alive, it has become the first museum in the United Kingdom to house a Fab Lab.Its Fab Lab offers the community a state-of-the- art fabrication laboratory with digital produc- tion facilities.It is equipped with 2D and 3D printers, alaser cutter, prototyping machines, an Internet connection and all kinds of advanced resources and materials. It has also set up a network for collaborating and exchanging knowledge with the global Fab Lab network to which it belongs. The museum professionals had the advice and support of the Fab Lab Manchester in setting up this space.4. Labs