State/Of/Emegency/
Symposium:
Presentation Title:
- State/Of/Emegency/
Presenter(s):
Abstract:
IDEA aims to provide a catalyst for arts and ideas, and in particular for the creative use of technology. IDEA is a not-for-profit company and registered charity with a Board of Trustees and an 18-strong Steering Group drawn from the arts, media, education and business. To date, more than 3,000 individuals and small businesses have participated in IDEA activities. Training modules range from a beginner’s guide to the Internet to high-level learning in multimedia. Creative technology trainingand productions have included the critically acclaimed 36MC, an innovative CD-ROM publication MccD, five single screen moving image works, Krystal Radio in Moss Side, and Seeing Is Believing in which 20 artists created short single screen works using non-linear video (AVID). All IDEA’s activities are aimed towards the establishment of the IDEA Centre, an independent incubator workspace for artists, craftspeople and media workers. The IDEA Centre will provide access to technology and structured creative and commercial expertise and will provide a base for up to 200 learning practitioners at any one time. Typically, they will remain in the Centre for 12 to 18 months and be supported by a number of longer-term resident companies.
The concept is that tenants will be supported and hosted by IDEA only until they are able to survive independently. The Centre will ensure that business start-ups related to the arts and media, to knowledge and science-based activity, and to creative application of technol-ogy, have increased access to affordable, well-equipped workspace, to structured training, and to funds for new ideas. This aim includes the purpose of providing an alternative to London-based media industries, so that graduates and others make Manchester home, to accelerate progress fromcreative ideas to successful enterprise. The IDEA Centre aims to combine Academy and Factory. IDEA also produces a newsletter which documents its innovative arts and training projects and includes informa-tion about new activities and training opportunities. IDEA/NEWS/ is distributed quarterly, free of charge. Formore information about IDEA or to join the mailing list, please write to or email us at: IDEA c/o Department of Fine Arts Grosvenor Building Cavendish Street Manchester.
