Projects ranging from using Artificial Intelligence to create art to building low-tech robots from recyclable materials are to receive funding under a scheme aimed at innovators and creatives from the Bath area.
The Studio Innovation Fund for 2023 was launched by The Studio at Palace Yard Mews, Bath Spa University’s city-centre research and innovation hub, to help freelancers, micro-businesses, social enterprises and third sector organisations progress their creative technology project ideas.
The six chosen projects, which will each receive up to £5,000, uniquely responded to the fund’s themes of inclusion and environmental sustainability.
The projects include:
Debdo Adventures, run by theatre producer Deborah Beale. Through the creation and use of accessible low-tech automata – animated, motion sensitive puppet art/robots constructed from recyclable materials – this project seeks to engage and consult with the wider community in Twerton for increased wellbeing and health support.
Fran Chambers is a multidisciplinary artist based in Bath. The project aims to showcase and expand the use of technology, and specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), in the creation of art, raising awareness and engagement with new audiences and participants as well as the development of Fran’s own practice and personal AI programme.
Lille Crabtree is also a multidisciplinary artist based in Bath. This participatory music technology project aims to increase the engagement and wellbeing of young people at the Southside community centre, by exploring new approaches to artistic expression, appreciation and communication, via the use of music with AI tools.
The egg theatre. Placing inclusion at the heart of storytelling and theatre for young audiences, this project will explore accessible creative technology in production design – such as digital puppetry, stage avatars and motion-capture – along with upskilling local disabled/neurodivergent associate artists.
Tony Oxley Sound is run by artist and sound designer Tony Oxley. This sound art project seeks to capture the ‘hidden’ sounds of Bath through community audio recordings of the electromagnetic field that’s all around us, looking into the effects technology has on people and the environment. The recordings will be made into a new composition and be shared online via the creation of a ‘hidden sounds’ library.
Trigger Productions create live and digital events. This project aims to raise awareness of the unethical patenting of botany and the indigenous communities affected through an outdoor performance piece with postable boxes and augmented reality.
It is the third year The Studio has offered a fund that supports Bath & North East Somerset-based freelancers, micro-businesses and third-sector organisations progressing their creative technology project ideas.
The projects will take place over the next few months leading up to a showcase and celebration of their work in July.
