Harvestworks in partnership with The Industrial and Technology Assistance Corporation (ITAC) provides an opportunity for artists to create new works of art, further develop their creative tool set, and benefit from the advisory and professional services of ITAC to reach a marketplace looking for innovative approaches to new technology. Up to ten artists will be awarded $7500 to produce, document, and present a new artwork. This two-year project is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation’s New York City Cultural Innovation Fund.   

Creativity + Technology = Enterprise 

An Opportunity For Artists Creating New Tools and an Experiment in new Sustainable Models for Artistic Practice.

Are there by-products of your creative process that could have transdisciplinary applications? If you had the time and resources would you explore the possibility of new perspectives ‘beyond’ art? Would you be interested in a partnership that could assist you in this process?

Creativity + Technology = Enterprise is a partnership project between Harvestworks, a cultural arts organization specializing in the production of artists’ projects, and The Industrial and Technology Assistance Corporation (ITAC), a nonprofit consulting organization that helps early-stage technology firms launch innovative products in NYC. [See Pressrelease]

This two-year project is supported by The Rockefeller Foundation’s New York City Cultural Innovation Fund and will provide an opportunity for artists to create new works of art, further develop their creative toolset, as well as benefit from the guidance and professional resources provided by ITAC, thus allowing their ideas to reach a marketplace looking for innovative approaches to new technology.

Our goal is to establish an ongoing network for innovation. ITAC and Harvestworks will work together with the artists to provide them access to the support needed, so that the products of their research can reach the commercial sector; where they can be capitalized and impact the individuals and companies who generate the technology industry in New York City.

Year One

Up to ten artists will be awarded $7500 to produce, document, and present a new artwork.  Access to resources and equipment in the T.E.A.M. (Technology, Engineering, Art and Music) lab at Harvestworks will also be available.  Project proposals will be reviewed by a panel of curators, technologists, and entrepreneurs.

Requirements

Project demonstrations and project documentation are required throughout the residency.  Projects will need to be completed by June 30, 2013.  At the completion of the project, the team will present to an advisory panel of artists/technicians and technology entrepreneurs to discuss whether the tools could be useful to other researchers or entrepreneurs. The advisory panel will recommend the projects that will advance to the second year of the program.

Year Two

Two of the ten artists from year one will receive a second follow-up award of $10,000 to support prototyping and further development of the project technology.

How to apply

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, November 13, 2012. Click here to start the online application.

Instructions and application forms can be found online at http://www.harvestworks.org/. Deadline is Nov 13, 2012, at midnight EST. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. An application seminar and panel will be held in October at Harvestworks to assist artists in the development of their ideas and to give them a chance to hear about past successful projects. Check our website athttp://www.harvestworks.org for dates and times.

Priorites will be given to projects in the following areas:  biosensors, immersive audio, camera tracking systems, data sonification or visualization, apps for smartphones and tablets, new computer interfaces and controllers, and new ways to engage with communities.

Background

This initiative complements the ongoing Harvestworks Creative Residency Program that has been in operation since 1983 and has produced significant new technology-based artworks by over 300 artists. Harvestworks Executive Director Carol Parkinson sees the project as an “opportunity for the artists to make new artwork, to explore whether the underlying technology could be used cross-culturally, and to experiment with new sustainable models for artistic practice”.

Questions

… can be directed to Hans Tammen at 212.431.1130 ext. 10 or by email at hanst@harvestworks.org.

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About Harvestworks  www.harvestworks.org
Harvestworks’ mission is to present experimental artworks created in collaboration with our Technology, Engineering, Art and Music (TEAM) Lab. The Harvestworks T.E.A.M Lab supports the creation of art works achieved through the use of new and evolving technologies and provides an environment for experimentation with project consultants, technicians, instructors and innovative practitioners in all branches of the electronic arts. Our programs are made possible with funds from New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Materials for the Arts, Jerome Foundation, the Edwards Foundation Arts Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Friends of Harvestworks.

About ITAC  www.ITAC.org

Over its twenty five-year history, ITAC has assisted over 2,000 advanced manufacturing, technology firms and entrepreneurs, delivered significant measurable impact to its clients, and helped companies to raise $50 million in new funding. ITAC focuses on accelerating growth in NYC manufacturing and technology firms by providing management consulting, coaching, training, and project management services. As the NYS-designated Regional Technology Development Center (RTDC) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center for NYC, State-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) specialists, ITAC professional staff and consultants, work hands-on with technology organizations, universities and other resources on product delineation, business concept, market research, and capital formation via engagements tailored to the specific needs of each client.

ITAC contact:  Marion Cochran Lunt, Marketing and Communications Director, 646.545.2245, mlunt@itac.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are you looking for?

Example:

As an artist, I have spent time and resources to create a unique piece of software, hardware or an app that I use in my performances, installations, visual art or interventions.  During that process, I have thought that this technology might be useful in other fields, such as the medical, communications, industrial design, marketing or manufacturing.

To sustain my artistic practice, I am interested in generating additional income from my research and development of this unique tool with licensing the technology to a business partner, or selling it via the app marketplace (e.g smartphone app).

The Creativity + Technology = Enterprise Project is an opportunity to explore this direction but keep in mind that the product should evolve out of your artistic practice.  You will need to be ready and willing to document your artistic process and discuss it’s potential cross-cultural applications with future business partners.

I have this great idea, and would like to find out if my idea is eligible for funding.

The panel is looking for projects that are in progress, clearly defined and demonstrate that the artist is committed to future development. The panel will need to determine how your technology could be used by other entrepreneurs, researchers and technology businesses.

What are the application criteria?

Artistic Excellence, commitment to the field, innovative use of technology, feasibility within the given timeframe, budget and goal of sustaining artistic practice.

How will the application be evaluated?

Project proposals will be reviewed by a panel of curators, technologists, and entrepreneurs.

Are applicants required to attend the pre-proposal information session?

No, but it would be helpful, of course.

How soon will I get a response on whether I’ve been selected?

Announcements will be made in Mid-December.

If selected, what’s the notification process and next steps?

We will notify everybody via email, please provide us with your current email address. You might be requested to have a personal interview with the Harvestworks/ITAC to discuss further details about your project.

What support will Harvestworks provide throughout the project?

Residents have access to the T.E.A.M lab resources and the technical expertise of our interns, engineers and programmers. A project manager is also available to help to coordinate the schedule of the personnel and facility if necessary.

What documentation or information do I have to submit?

You can submit videos, audio recordings, PDFs, photos, schematics and everything else that helps the panel to understand your project. The online application will allow you to enter up to three links for the panel to download materials, or watch them online. Please do not send materials to Harvestworks directly, since this is an online submission system. Do not use promotional CDs/DVDs – they are generally not in-depth enough for panel review. Choose a worksample that shows the your message in a limited time span. A worksample that starts off slowly (i.e. introductory credits) may not be the best choice for a panel review.

I do not live in the US, am I eligible to apply?

Yes. You would have to come into the US on a business visa, and provide us with your tax ID. Please note that there are no additional funds for foreign artists, such travel cost or accommodation.

Why is there a $5 fee on the application?

This is for offsetting the cost of the online submission system – and you save the costs of mailing your materials. Please note that non-online applications have produced an average of 3,000 sheets of paper in the past.

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