Get Creative At FACT This Summer
This summer, leading media arts centre FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) offers a range of exciting activities for young people and families, and continues to expand its programme for anyone interested in getting involved with making and experimenting with electronics.
A partnership between FACT and the Liverpool School of Art and Design at LJMU, FACT’s creative technology hub FACTLab continues to welcome visitors of all ages to experiment and explore. Since its launch in 2015, FACTLab events and activities have welcomed over 4500 visitors, both at FACT and across the North West.
By using Minecraft as an educational tool, FACT regularly hosts events and workshops where young people are introduced to the possibilities of the platform. Tying into this, the Minecraft Infinity Project launched at FACT as part of Liverpool Biennial 2016, inviting players to collaborate with Minecrafters the world over to remake artworks exhibited at this year’s festival into the largest virtual sculpture ever made within the game. Players can get involved online, at home or in one of FACT’s Minecraft workshops, free of charge. The multiplayer map had 14, 245 visits in its first week, and can be accessed until 24 July at fact.co.uk/minecraft.
Two versions of Prototype Summer School welcome children to participate in workshops in July and August, celebrating art and science, and developing digital skills and confidence. The FACTLab edition focuses on Minecraft and experimenting with electronics and coding, taking FACT’s current exhibition by Krzysztof Wodiczko as a starting point, whilst the courses led by Digital Artist Neil Winterburn invite children to develop and share their own creative technology project.
FACTLab’s Learning Technologist and Artist Radamés Ajna, says: “Prototype Summer School is all about bringing inspiration to the participants by showing that experimenting and making really is for everyone. Children with all levels of experience are welcome, and our aim is to boost the participant’s confidence and creativity, by developing skills in a fun way.”
Please visit the FACT website for more information and to book a place. Prototype Summer School costs £60 per child, but limited spaces are available free of charge for families of children eligible for free school meals. For more information about this or to make an enquiry, please contact [email protected]
The free workshop series Hack Nights returns from 20 July at FACTLab, introducing new skills to participants curious about coding, hacking and tinkering. The first sessions form an introductory course, focused on interactive and creative technologies. Places are limited, and anyone interested in participating is advised to secure their place quickly via the FACT website.
Throughout the summer, FACTLab is on an Art+Science tour across the region, using creativity as a tool for the exploration of scientific phenomena. FACTLab has made appearances at The Big Bang North West 2016, trAction Crewe, and MakeFest in Liverpool – next stop is MakeFest at Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (20 – 21 August), where FACTLab will be showcasing a brand new project combining the real and virtual worlds within Minecraft.
FACT is also accepting applications to BFI Film Academy, taking place at FACT this autumn. BFI Film Academy is an eleven-week programme for young people between 16 and 19 years old not in university, who would love a career in film. Working in collaboration with professional filmmakers, young people will be given the opportunity to make a short film as part of a crew, and be involved in the whole process from initial ideas to final edits. BFI Film Academy is funded by BFI, and the application deadline is at 5pm on 23 August. The course is £25 but bursaries are available. For more information and to apply, please visit www.fact.co.uk/get-involved/young-people
