Tech Valley of Center of Gravity Accepting Applications for its Digital Fabrication Residency Program
Tech Valley Center of Gravity (TVCOG), a nonprofit organization and makerspace located in downtown Troy, is accepting applications for its new Digital Fabrication Residency program. The program, made possible through The Arts Center of the Capital Region’s Arts Thrive and Grow grant, will provide a unique opportunity for residents to learn to use a variety of digital fabrication tools and equipment. Residents will receive a TVCOG membership, free access to TVCOG’s digital fabrication classes, full access to TVCOG’s digital fabrication equipment, and the opportunity to learn alongside fellow makers, engineers, and artists. The program is accepting two applicants and applications are due July 1, 2024.
"We've had artists travel from as far as Oneonta and Westchester to use our facility, because we're the closest public makerspace that not only provides access to professional 3D printers and CNC machines, but training on how to use them as well," said Operations Director Dan Falkenstrom. "It's clear that the demand is there, but oftentimes, cost is an issue. This grant allows us to provide training to those who otherwise aren't able to afford it."
The Digital Fabrication Residency program is open to local artists throughout the region who demonstrate financial need. The program will take place over six months, beginning July 16th. During that time, residents will receive intensive education and equipment training, including customized consulting hours and 24/7 facility access. They will also receive special instruction from Fun Staff Designs, a creative and industrial design studio specializing in novel sustainable materials and sustainable product development. By the end of the program, residents will be able to produce original designs on a laser cutter, 3D-printers and other tools. They will be provided with a $500 project budget to create a piece of work using their new skillset. Projects will be displayed during Troy's annual Victorian Stroll event.
TVCOG created its Digital Fabrication Residency program to give local artists the opportunity to incorporate modern technology, primarily used by engineers for utilitarian projects, in their works of art. As artists tend to look at digital fabrication tools through a different lens than engineers, teaching them to use a new set of tools pushes their limits and capabilities in ways that the technical community wouldn’t have considered.
Arts Thrive and Grow is funded by New York State, Kathy Hochul, Governor. We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea, Stewart Cousins for her extraordinary commitment and leadership, and our elected officials who represent our grantmaking region: Senators Jake Ashby and Neil D. Breslin; Assemblymembers Scott H. Bendett, Patricia Fahy, John T. McDonald III, Angelo Santabarbara, Phil Steck, and Mary Beth Walsh.
To learn more about TVCOG’s Digital Fabrication Residency program, and/or to apply, visit https://www.tvcog.net/residency. For more information about Tech Valley Center of Gravity, visit https://www.tvcog.net.