LACMA Revamps their Art + Technology Program

LACMA

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States.  With over 120,000 objects in their collection they show expertise in works ranging from the antiquities to present times,  Their mission is, ‘To serve the public through the collection, conservation, exhibition, and interpretation of significant works of art from a broad range of cultures and historical periods, and through the translation of these collections into meaningful educational, aesthetic, intellectual, and cultural experiences for the widest array of audiences.”  In 1967, the museum introduced the Art + Technology Program to inspire artists with the new advancements in technology and science.  Important artist like, Andy Warhol, Jams Turrell and Robert Irwin all took part in the experiment of fusing art and science.

Now, almost 50 years later, LACMA has revamped the program to fit modern times.  With help from Accenture, DAQRI, NVIDIA, Google and Space X the museum has made the impossible projects possible for the curious and experimental artist.  Grants, support and facility use will be available at the museum to help artist merge affectively with the technology savvy world we live in.

Changes from the 1967 Art + Technology Project include –  labs at LACMA; the previous project implanted artist within corporate settings. The Balch Research Library, located on the LACMA campus, has been newly renovated  with support from the Los Angeles County Productivity Investment Fund.  Inside the lab, there will be space for workshops and public programs, such as talks and demonstrations for up to 30 participants.  A safe-to-fail environment, ongoing public engagement, which will include, on-campus tours and educational programs to keep new generations inspired, with lectures, film screenings  and metrics of success which will measure labs on cultural and educational intent.

Artist are encourage to submit their proposals by the end of January to set up a collaboration with a lab to conduct their experiments.

The LACMA will post prototypes, case studies, and date from the Art + Technology project online.

For more on the Art + Technology Program click here.