The Hearst Foundations awarded a $200,000 grant to the Center for Arts and Entertainment Technologies at The University of Texas at Austin. The award creates a makerspace, named the Foundry, where students can create visual design projects using software, video production and apps for making digital art.
“The Foundry will support new collaborations across disciplines and give students the hands-on technological skills and knowledge they need to succeed as artists and entrepreneurs,” said center director Bruce Pennycook.
Conveniently located in the Fine Arts Library, the Foundry aims to bring students and faculty together across many disciplines for conducting research on how technology can aide in the process of designing, manufacturing and distributing art. Renovation includes space for labs and studios for recording, editing, design and fabrication.
“Because of the generosity of the Hearst Foundations, the Fine Arts Library will be able to provide access to the Foundry, a full-service creative markerspace,” said Laura Schwartz, center librarian. “The impact it will have on student learning and research is beyond our imagination, and we are so excited about offering a space that encourages creativity.”
The new studio and lab spaces will be part of the college’s new Center for Arts and Entertainment Technologies, which includes courses in art, technology and entrepreneurship. The college plans to enroll 2,500 students by 2017 and offer a new Bachelor of Science degree in arts and entertainment technologies in 2016.