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Arts x Tech Lab

Performing Arts x Tech Lab 2023 Open Call – Apply now!

The 2023 edition of the Performing Arts x Tech Lab is a new partnership between the National Arts Council and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, with Keio-NUS CUTE Center as technology consultant. The Lab seeks to support innovation and experimentation through seeding collaboration between arts and technology fields. It aims to encourage arts practitioners to explore the possibilities of integrating technology into their practice.

The inaugural run of the NAC Arts x Tech Lab took place in 2021. More information about the outcomes and insights from the first edition can be found in the e-publication and video series below.

View Arts x Tech Lab Flipbook

Watch Arts x Tech Bytes series

The Performing Arts x Tech Lab’s Guiding Framework

The Performing Arts x Tech Lab 2023 invites proposals that demonstrate artistic rigour in the use of technology, and in the development of the practitioner/artist’s practice. The Lab is open to proposals involving various interpretations of technology, including reimagined ways of using existing or emerging technologies.

Proposals should address one or more of the following:

  • enrich artistic practice
  • explore new forms of expression
  • contribute to audience development

At the end of the Lab, participants will be asked to present a public sharing, which can take the form of a work-in-progress, a prototype or sharing of findings by way of a lecture, demonstration or public presentation.

 

What will the Performing Arts x Tech Lab offer?

  • Opportunities to develop a seed idea or hypothesis  
  • Consultations with and feedback from a Technology Consultant, Keio-NUS CUTE Center and an international Advisory Panel comprised of leading artists, designers and institutions who/that work at the intersection of arts, performance and technology  
  • Networking opportunities with potential collaborators 
  • Workshops by experts  
  • Peer learning opportunities to learn from like-minded artists and technologists 
  • Access to external resources  
  • Funding support

We are pleased to announce the following members of the international Advisory Panel. More about the Advisory Panel.

  1. Toby Coffey, Head of Immersive Storytelling Studio, National Theatre (UK)
  2. Danny Yung, Founding Member and Co-Artistic Director, Zuni Icosahedron (HK)
  3. Clarence Ng, Production Project Manager | Akiko Takeshita, Producer of Performing Arts | Mitsuru Tokisato, Artist and Video Engineer, Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (JPN)
  4. Ho Tzu Nyen, Artist (SG)

 

What is the Lab's Structure and Time Frame?

Participants will undergo a nine-month lab (planned to begin in August 2023 and end in April 2024), which will take place across two phases, culminating in an Industry Sharing. Each phase will be shaped according to the level of readiness and needs of the participants and customised with consideration towards the participants’ proposals and ideas.  

 

Who is the Lab open to? 

The Lab welcomes practitioners who work in the performing arts or with performance in general (ie. theatre, dance, music, inter or cross-disciplinary forms, performance practice), who wish to work with technologists for the purposes of experimentation, prototyping or research and development.  

Arts and culture organisations, collectives and practitioners who are interested in working across sectors and disciplines may apply. It is hoped that through the Lab, artists and technologists can collaborate to research and transform artistic creation or artistic practice.  

The primary applicant should be an arts organisation or arts practitioner who should form a team with collaborators e.g. technologists, other creative practitioners to submit a proposal.

 

Briefing and Sharing sessions

There will be two Briefing and Sharing sessions for this programme. We encourage you to sign up for one of the Briefing and Sharing sessions to find out more about the Lab and connect with like-minded practitioners and potential collaborators.

Each session will include a short briefing about the Lab, the open call and will include a Q&A segment. Both sessions will take place in-person. These sessions are optional and not a pre-application requirement.

Briefing and Sharing Session 1

Saturday, 17 June 2023, 10.30am - 12.00pm at National Arts Council's office

(limited to 50 pax)

Sign up here: https://go.gov.sg/briefing1-paxtechlab

 

Briefing and Sharing Session 2

Monday, 19 June 2023, 7.30pm - 9.00pm at National Arts Council's office

(limited to 50 pax)

Sign up here: https://go.gov.sg/briefing2-paxtechlab

 

We are committed to ensuring that this programme is accessible to as many people as possible, and this includes persons with disabilities. Please contact Althea Giron (althea_giron_from.tp@nac.gov.sg) should you require any accessibility arrangements. 

 

Application Deadline

Before you submit your application, please read the following documents:

Please apply for the Lab via this link: https://go.gov.sg/apply-paxtechlab by 23:59 (SGT), 2 July 2023. All submissions should be made through this link. Email submissions, late and incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

 

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact: 

Catherine Tan : catherine_tan@nac.gov.sg

Althea Giron : althea_giron_from.tp@nac.gov.sg