THE GOOD PLACE
Face the Music
The Centre for Art Tapes supports under-represented artists in Halifax and helps them access the equipment they need to work in electronic media-based art.
By Sarah Laing
(Top and bottom) Members of the public explore recent CFAT installations featured in the Media Arts Scholarship exhibition; (middle) CFAT executive director Cat Bluemke, programming coordinator Jesse Mitchell, and production and membership services coordinator Riss Sean Cruz. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CFAT
UPON ENTERING THE HEADQUARTERS of The Centre for Art Tapes (CFAT), located in Halifax’s North End, anticipate a hive of creative activity.
“You might find artists experimenting with virtual reality technology, working on an immersive installation, or hanging out and chatting about project ideas. You’d see artists coming through to rent specialized equipment for their latest projects from our production and membership coordinator, Riss Sean Cruz,” says CFAT board member Alexandra Sullivan. “In our electronic lab, our programming coordinator, Jesse Mitchell, might be repairing our equipment or teaching a workshop on how to build a synthesizer.” The artist-run not-for-profit, which was founded in 1979, makes it possible for creators of all skill levels — many from under-represented backgrounds — to access affordable technical equipment and the support they need to produce electronic media-based art.
“There can be a huge barrier to entry with media arts and technology. We strive to eliminate obstacles through accessible programming and inclusive mentorship opportunities.”
“We exist to break barriers to artistic expression in media arts. By providing artists with access to specialized tools, hands-on training and ongoing support, we encourage them to develop both technical skills and critical thinking,” says Sullivan. CFAT is also a venue that fosters collaboration and encourages networking, she adds. “There can be a huge barrier to entry with media arts and technology and we strive to eliminate these obstacles through accessible programming and inclusive mentorship opportunities.”
One of CFAT’s signature offerings is the Media Arts Scholarship — six months of free education and mentorship for artists who are working on a media art project in a medium where their experience could range from little to none. Says Sullivan, “It embodies everything we stand for — access to specialized equipment and creative support.” CAA
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(Left and right) Members of the public explore recent CFAT installations featured in the Media Arts Scholarship exhibition; (middle) CFAT executive director Cat Bluemke, programming coordinator Jesse Mitchell, and production and membership services coordinator Riss Sean Cruz. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CFAT
UPON ENTERING THE HEADQUARTERS of The Centre for Art Tapes (CFAT), located in Halifax’s North End, anticipate a hive of creative activity.
“You might find artists experimenting with virtual reality technology, working on an immersive installation, or hanging out and chatting about project ideas. You’d see artists coming through to rent specialized equipment for their latest projects from our production and membership coordinator, Riss Sean Cruz,” says CFAT board member Alexandra Sullivan. “In our electronic lab, our programming coordinator, Jesse Mitchell, might be repairing our equipment or teaching a workshop on how to build a synthesizer.” The artist-run not-for-profit, which was founded in 1979, makes it possible for creators of all skill levels — many from under-represented backgrounds — to access affordable technical equipment and the support they need to produce electronic media-based art.
“There can be a huge barrier to entry with media arts and technology. We strive to eliminate obstacles through accessible programming and inclusive mentorship opportunities.”
“We exist to break barriers to artistic expression in media arts. By providing artists with access to specialized tools, hands-on training and ongoing support, we encourage them to develop both technical skills and critical thinking,” says Sullivan. CFAT is also a venue that fosters collaboration and encourages networking, she adds. “There can be a huge barrier to entry with media arts and technology and we strive to eliminate these obstacles through accessible programming and inclusive mentorship opportunities.”
One of CFAT’s signature offerings is the Media Arts Scholarship — six months of free education and mentorship for artists who are working on a media art project in a medium where their experience could range from little to none. Says Sullivan, “It embodies everything we stand for — access to specialized equipment and creative support.” CAA