Call for applications: State of the ARt programme for digital creatives

The programme is a joint initiative between the Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Jenga CCI and BlackRhino VR, which sets out to use immersive technologies to change the way creatives make and experience art, and upskill them for local and international opportunities in the creative and cultural sector.

“State of the ARt sets the foundation for an unprecedented evolution of art exhibitions, art spaces and art trading,” the organisation said. “It’s a fusion at the intersection of technology between artists and tech visionaries.” 

The premise behind State of the ARt is to integrate visual art forms with virtual reality and augmented reality and deploy these technologies in a learning and experimental context while building capacity and exposing artists into these new art formats.

State of the ARt’s goal is to make artists more open and aware of new technologies that lead to novel forms of expression. Allow the artists to push art forward, invent and define new paradigms of expression with powerful meanings. At the same time, expose the general public to art that pushes the limits and defines new meanings that will change how people think and feel – today and in the future.

The initiative is focused on modern ways in which art was created, produced, distributed, marketed, preserved and supported, have shifted as a direct reaction to the world's transition to a socially connected, digital society.

Eligibility 

• The project targets art collectives within Nairobi and the beneficiaries will include, but not limited to, art lovers, enthusiasts, collectors and the general public.
• The project will evolve in several phases over a year, and will expose the artists’ work to a global market.

How it works

1. Selection of art collectives/artists that will participate in the programme.
2. Provision of VR and AR equipment to the art collectives – this will include software and hardware.
3. Weekly training for the artists on tech optimisation.
4. State of the ARt Exhibition – This will be an AR/VR art exhibition open to the public that will showcase the masterpieces created by the different artists.
5. BlackRhino VR will carry out weekly training on tech optimisation using our customised curriculum and tutorials. Throughout the training, monitoring and evaluation will be carried out to ensure compliance and proficiency is met.

Interested creatives can apply here before 17 April.

For more information, contact blackrhinovr@gmail.com.

View the original call here.