These do not describe the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ newly announced second class of Collider Fellowship. This unique initiative has the potential to transform the future of technology and the performing arts. By supporting artists in “non-transactional” ways, the fellowship aims to foster creativity and innovation without the immediate pressure of commercial success.
The Collider Fellowship supports experimental, non-traditional approaches to the development of new work. The inaugural cohort of fellows featured artists with different goals. One participant created “five or six prototypes” during the program, demonstrating a hands-on approach to exploring technological applications in art. Another artist used the fellowship to focus on personal growth, intending to “rejuvenate, read tons of books, do tons of research, slow down.” Either end of the spectrum is “perfectly fine,” per Jordana Leigh, one of the guiding minds behind the fellowship.
The new cohort of artists includes these six amazing talents, selected through a national, nomination-based process. These fellows are developing groundbreaking art in fields like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the immersive 4DSound System. The chosen artists will have access to nine months of dedicated studio space at Lincoln Center and Onassis ONX. Along with combined financial stipends and dedicated support from Lincoln Center staff, they each will…
Despite the major disappointment, Leigh is hopeful about what’s next for technology and the arts. At the same time, she hopes that the Collider Fellowship will allow Lincoln Center to reimagine how it interacts with potential audiences around the world. “I don’t think we’re closing the door to anything right now,” she stated, reflecting her belief in the program’s expansive possibilities.
Our inaugural cohort of Collider Fellows have produced a suite of fabulous projects. These projects are works in progress and will hopefully be featured at Lincoln Center before long. Leigh praised these projects as the product of a very intentional effort to incorporate art and tech. She imagines this collision of fields is necessary for sparking creative, impactful conversations in both industries.
“I love that they’re all really thoughtful people who are not just thinking about [the work] itself, but how it fits into a larger conversation in arts and technology.” – Jordana Leigh
Leigh’s main interest these days is in creating more location-based experiences that use VR, AR and XR – otherwise known as immersive experiences. She frames such technologies as crucial tools in an artist’s palette, akin to an instrument or a paint brush.
“Another tool in their toolkit, like a mixer for sound or a paintbrush for paint.” – Jordana Leigh
The Collider Fellowship is designed to uplift traditionally underrepresented communities in the tech ecosystem. Leigh is committed to ensuring that individuals who traditionally feel excluded from technology see themselves represented in it—especially Black and Brown people, particularly Black and Brown women.
“People who do not see themselves in technology to start seeing themselves in it.” – Jordana Leigh
The Collider Fellowship builds on successful initiatives like Dream Machine by Nona Hendryx, which exemplifies how Lincoln Center has successfully merged arts with technology. This program is an excellent example of the organization’s deep commitment to innovation. It provides artists with the tools and infrastructure to push their craft in exciting, innovative directions.