I just took a Dream Weaver 8 class from a woman who told me she has been in computer education since the early 80’s. I was impressed. With the passing of Randy Pausch I have been even more aware of the great things that have been accomplished through education and collaborations in the technology field. His contribution to merging the artistic and technological sides in computer science has left some great tools and opened doors for all youth to get excited about computer programming and the virtual world. For those of you who want to learn more about this work, check out the Alice Project for high schools and colleges, and Storytelling Alice for middle school youth. My pick this week is a nod to Professor Pausch because it highlights fellowships merging the arts and technology.

This week’s pick: Artists on the Verge (AOV), a new fellowship program of The Jerome Foundation, Northern Lights and Forecast Public Art, who have recently announced this “new two-track fellowship and mentoring program for emerging Minnesota-based artists working experimentally at the intersection of technology, with a focus on practices that are social, collaborative, and/or participatory.” The two fellowships are as follows:

1. The AOV program looks to support emerging Minnesota artists that are producing exciting, experimental work. Commissions of $6,000 each will be awarded to three selected artists. Projects forms might include:
• broadcast; citizen science;
• demo scene; DIY practices;
• gaming;
• hypertext;
• immersive environments;
• interactive art;
• interactive television;
• Internet art;
• mixed media;
• mobile devices;
• pod-casting;
• responsive architecture; virtual worlds; and,
• Web 2.0.

2. The AOV Mentorship Program will select three artists to receive $4,000 each with an additional $2,000 each available for technical assistance.

Applicants must be Minnesota residents and emerging artists. The deadline to submit an application is September 8, 2008. The application and guidelines can be accessed through the Northern Lights website.