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A pilot aimed at supporting innovation across arts and technology has launched with three projects. 

The programme will support people working at the intersection of arts and technology, and has been set up by the Arts Council and Innovate UK.

Responding to rapid developments in technology and accompanying shifts in ways of working, the programme focuses support on groups of creative people who are exploring the place and impact of technology in our lives. It will explore how best to support new talent and ideas emerging across a range of fields from making to bio-tech, data and interaction.  Through the programme, we’ll also explore how this practice can best be sustained; in particular how the different values it generates – artistic, social and commercial – can be capitalised on.

Exploring the best ways to strengthen an eco-system of artistic and creative practice

Delivered through three organisations - Manchester Digital Laboratory, Broadway in Nottingham, and Makerversity in London - participants in the pilot programme will be provided with the space, the tools, networks and the advice necessary to develop new practices, ideas, products and services. What we will learn from the pilot will help us better understand how arts and technology practices can flourish.

Near Now Studio at Broadway in Nottingham

Broadway in Nottingham will evolve its Near Now Fellowship to develop an arts and technology studio, adopting best practice from human-centred design to critically explore emerging markets within the collaborative economy. 

Studio members, with complementary skill sets and artistic practice, will progress individual and group projects through ideation, prototyping and production, supported by 1-2-1 coaching, peer workshops and expert-led business seminars examining value creation across arts and technology.   

A MadLab in Manchester

Manchester Digital Laboratory (MadLab) will run a structured ‘accelerator’ programme for artists working with new and emerging technologies, connecting to an international network of expert digital makers, technologists and creative entrepreneurs.

Designers, makers and artists working together at Makerversity

Building on its workspace and facilities at Somerset House in London, Makerversity will bring together a broad group of designers, makers and artists working with technology to support them in developing specific areas of innovative work. Activities might include individual coaching, exploratory making sessions where groups are challenged to create together using a new material or new type of technology, and workshops focused on specific identified skills gaps such as business modelling or storytelling.

Commenting on the pilot, Dawn Ashman, Arts Council’s Director, Creative Industries said:

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the value of creative and arts practice in fostering innovation. Some of the most innovative and risky projects in various areas of technological endeavour are driven by artists, experimenting with technology, engaging users in new ways and critically reflecting on the impact of new technologies. We are excited to be working with Innovate UK to pilot this programme, and see this as the beginning of a long-term relationship to support original and innovative arts practice’.

Next steps and more information

Depending on the outcome of those pilots, it is hoped that a fuller programme might be rolled-out from late 2016. Keep up to date with progress through our Arts and Technology programme webpage. 

Find out more about the work of Innovate UK here.