17 Jan Call for Applications: US-based Delegates for the ISO Indigenous Immersive Incubator at MIT

Find the application form here.

Cambridge, Mass. (Jan. 17, 2023) – The Co-Creation Studio at MIT Open Documentary Lab is collaborating with The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) to offer an intensive four-day incubator for mid-career and established Indigenous screen-based artists with ideas for immersive and/or interactive projects in development. Experience with immersive/interactive technologies may be helpful but is not required for consideration. The focus of the Incubator is to support creators developing projects using emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, game engines, robotics, etc.) or using “old tech” (projections, multichannel video, console video games, VFX, 3D, web, social media storytelling, transmedia storytelling, etc.) in new and inventive ways. Feel free to surprise us with your ideas!

MIT has up to two spots reserved for US-based Indigenous creators to partake in this year’s offering as delegates. The financial support for the fellows is generously provided by NEA, Nia Tero and Perspective Fund. The US funding is independent of the ISO.

U.S.-based Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native creatives will have the opportunity to participate as a fellow at MIT for an incubator focused on Immersive and/or Interactive projects. Applicant ideas will be shared, discussed, workshopped, and expanded upon throughout the incubator with the support of MIT’s community of researchers, creators and technologists.

Apply to participate as a US-based delegate here.

ISO is also offering a parallel application process for four Canadian participants eligible for ISO funding.

Learn more about the process for Canada-based participants here.

WHAT YOU GET

1 – At Co-Creation Studio MIT Open Documentary Lab, the successful delegate will fully participate in a tailored programme of inspiring lectures, hands-on workshops, mentorship and one-on-one sessions. The program will cover an overview of co-creation methods and in-depth case studies and screenings along with guided group workshops to develop participants’ own projects and action plans for their work. There will be a strong emphasis on reciprocity and peer-to-peer support amongst the cohort. The facilitators will include Co-Creation Studio artistic director Katerina Cizek, Lead Artist Amelia Winger-Bearskin, and invited guests.

2 – A modest honorarium.

3 – Travel and accommodation to MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts for three nights in the period between April 23, 2023 – April 29, 2023.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Established as either a mid-career producer, writer or director, creative technologist or other craft category such as editor, cinematographer, etc;

• Has a strong concept for an interactive and/or immersive project in development (or a project that incorporates interactive/immersive technology) that will be discussed and workshopped throughout the incubator;
• Available for the duration of the incubator and the virtual meetings.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Expression of interest;
• Bio(s) and CV(s);
• Visual Treatment package including: project working title, log line, synopsis, project description, development schedule, treatment, visuals, key creatives, and how you intend to share the project with the public (max. 5 pages);
• A description of your tribal connection in your own words and what it means to your project.
• Links to previous work;
• A signed letter of agreement for teams of two (2);
• Description of your practice and its intersections with immersive and/or interactive technologies;
• Three potential references. If you are chosen we will ask you for permission to call them and we must be able to speak to one of the three at minimum for you to be awarded.

KEY DATES

Please note, applicants must be able to commit to all of the following dates in order to be eligible.

Final dates and times for virtual meetings and the incubator will be confirmed with successful applicants.

• Application opens on January 17, 2023 at 12 pm EST
• Applications are due February 8, 2023 at 5 pm EST
• Shortlisted candidates may be asked for a brief virtual interview on February 23 or 24
• Announcement of cohort in early March 2023
• Successful applicants will need to make themselves available for a design process that will include up to three ideation and planning sessions during the spring of 2023, concluding in an intensive four days of on-campus incubation
• In-person incubator the week of April 23rd, 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA at MIT

SELECTION PROCESS

MIT will collaborate on an internal assessment and selection process of the submitted applications. The selection process will focus on:

• History of artistic work;
• Appropriate project(s) at the intersection of arts/tech that are at the appropriate stage to incubate;
• Ability to actively contribute to the delegation;
• Project creativity, innovation, and curiosity;
• Applicant ability to move towards project next stage, such as prototyping or proof of concept;
• Applicants’ demonstrated approaches to co-creation in R&D.

FAQ

Q: Do I have to be associated with a university or in the academic community?
A: No, this is for Indigenous screen-based artists who are mid-career or established. There’s no need for an academic affiliation.

Q: What does mid-career mean?
A: We see mid-career as someone who has several credits in one or several roles and a substantial history of successfully creating projects, accepting funding and collaborating with other creatives.

Q: Do I need to have created interactive or immersive works already?
A: No, but applicants must have mid-career-level experience in other formats and express interest in developing their practice in these fields. Priority will be given to creators who have already produced or collaborated on immersive or interactive works.

Q: Does my project need confirmed funding in order to be eligible?
A: No, your project does not need confirmed funding and can be in the early stages of development.

Q: Does my project have to be in English?
A: No, but the incubator will take place in English and application submissions must be in English.

Q: What happens to the IP of my project if I develop it further at the incubator?
A: All participant confidential information and/or intellectual property shall be the sole property of the participant and used only with permission in writing from the individual participant or teams.

Q: My project is in early development and I will likely change the pitch materials I submit now as I move forward.
A: That is totally acceptable. We expect — and hope there will be —  changes in your approach, concept, schedule, creative materials, etc.

Apply to participate as a US-based delegate here.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTNERS

CO-CREATION STUDIO AT MIT OPEN DOCUMENTARY LAB 

Founded in 2016, the Co-Creation Studio is an initiative at the MIT Open Documentary Lab. The studio researches and incubates collective creation and alternatives to a singular authorial vision through a constellation of media methods. For us, co-creation can occur within communities, across disciplines and with non-human systems such as artificial intelligence as outlined in our book, Collective Wisdom: Co-Creation Media for Equity and Justice. We work within the context of the MIT Open Documentary Lab which brings together storytellers, technologists and scholars to explore new documentary forms with a particular focus on collaborative and immersive storytelling. A center for documentary research, the lab offers courses, workshops, a fellows program, public lectures, and conferences. It also incubates projects and develops resources and critical discourse. Projects incubated at our Lab have premiered at the Sundance, Venice, and Tribeca festivals and have won global awards at the Emmys, Webbys, Prix Ars Electronica and many others. In the spirit of MIT’s open courseware and open-source software movements, the Open Documentary Lab is inclusive, collaborative and committed to sharing knowledge, networks and tools.

INDIGENOUS SCREEN OFFICE

The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector. (Link to ISO-funded call-out here)