The Art + Technology LAB is a teaching space located next to New Media Gallery. Public, school, and professional artist programs are offered throughout the year. Here we focus on encouraging a broad understanding of how technology can be used for creative purposes, pedagogy, critical thinking and the creation of meaning; and we have fun! All program and event descriptions are available below and registration is through The City of New Westminster booking page.
Learn the basics of User Experience (UX) design and create an interactive artwork you can view on a computer or mobile device. Explore how time based and experiential artwork can be used to ask questions, present ideas or just be silly and fun. Participants will lay out visual elements using the Figma platform, create simple animations, and clickable interactions. Instructor: Sara Korzec.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Saturday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | February 15, 2025
Registration Fee: $45.00 / class
CREATIVE LEDs w/ RASPBERRY PIS
Learn to use a Raspberry Pi for creating stunning light installations using addressable LED lights. Experience an artist-led workshop that reviews the different uses and other technology available to enhance interactivity. Instructor: Chris Jung
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Sunday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm |
February 16, 2025
Registration Fee: $45.00 / class
INTRO TO DIY SYNTHS
Use basic electronic components to make your own square wave synthesizer. Create an instrument using a beginner-friendly circuit that is easy to expand on and build into more complex sound circuits. No prior experience with electronics necessary. The workshop will culminate in a creative jam session. Instructor: Jae Lew.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Saturday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm | February 15, 2025
Registration Fee: $45.00 / class
AGES 13-18
CREATIVE FILMMAKING
Experiment with creating live-action videos. Learn interesting video filters and different ways to tell a story. Students will get a copy of their video artwork to share with family and friends.
INTRO TO DIY SYNTHESIZERS
Use basic electronic components to make your own square wave synthesizer. Create an instrument using a beginner friendly circuit that is easy to expand on and build into more complex sound circuits. No prior experience with electronics necessary. The workshop will culminate in a creative jam session at Anvil Centre.
LAB ASSISTANT - Volunteer Program
Are you interested in building your media arts skills, exploring your creativity, and supporting our learning environments? All while earning volunteer hours for graduation? Considering volunteering as a LAB Assistant. Sign up through the City of New Westminster's Volunteer Program, here
AGES 7-12
3D MODELLING WITH TINKERCAD
Learn the basics of 3D modelling and printing. Make simple models for printing your own designs, toys, or characters. Students are led through the steps of fabricating, troubleshooting, and printing.
ANIMATION NOW
Learn about the world of animation while bringing characters and stories to life. Enjoy an artists-led process of hand-making projects and being as creative as you want. Take home animated films to share with friends and family. Instructor: Jae Lew.
təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic & Community Centre
Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm | February 12 - March 12, 2025
Registration Fee: $105.00 / 5 classes
ARTS + TECH PLAYLIST
Create with a different technology in every class. Expert instructors help students create amazing works of art and invention. Explore video, music, 3D modelling and printing, robotics, coding and animation. Instructor: hope akello & Jae Lew.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Sundays, 10:30 am -12:00 pm | February 9 - March 9, 2025 (No class February 16)
Registration Fee: $84.00 / 4 classes
CIRCUIT MAKERS
Learn programming and circuitry basics using Little Bits modular robotics. Artists lead students through planning and hand skills used to create moving robotic works of art. Instructor: Jae Lew.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm | February 13 - March 13, 2025
Registration Fee: $105.00 / 5 classes
CREATIVE FILMMAKING
Experiment with the creative filmmaking process and producing live-action videos. Learn interesting video filters and different ways to tell a story from artist filmmakers. Students will get a copy of their video artwork to share with family and friends. Please note: sessions are four hours long; please pack a snack and drink. Instructor: Louise Lathey.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Saturdays, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm | February 8 - March 8, 2025 (No class February 15) | Ages 9 - 13
Registration Fee: $155.00 / 4 classes
GIRLS IN TECHNOLOGY
Explore and create imaginative art and technology projects inspired by female artists and scientists from the last hundred years. Specialist Instructors mentor female-identifying-students to explore cutting-edge technologies in a supportive environment.
Explore the playful possibilities of circuits and coding as we create whimsical machines that respond to inputs and outputs. Using Microbits and LittleBits, experiment with the art of visual communication: light, sound, colour, and gesture!
SOUND EXPLORERS
Learn how to make sounds using synthesizers, field recorders, and audio software. Go beyond the presets of the equipment and learn to blend sounds in exciting ways. Make audio collages and soundtracks for video or sound-based projects.
SOUND MACHINES
Using LittleBits audio and synthesizer parts, MicroBits, and electrical components, students will create fun interactive projects that generate sound, from simple tones to musical compositions. Suitable for students who have previously taken Sound Explorers and/or Circuit Makers. Instructor: Jae Lew.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Sunday, 1:00 - 2:30 pm | February 9 - March 9, 2025 (No class February 16)
Registration Fee: $84.00 / 4 classes
AGES 5-7
LITTLE MAKERS
Innovate with art, technology, and new media while exploring creative invention using simple technologies and raw materials. Through play, story-time, mentoring, creative making and practical instruction, children will discover and discuss how the world around them works and how to express their ideas.
AGES 3-5
TINY TOTS + TECHNOLOGY (Caregiver Participation)
Integrating simple sound, movement, and light technologies for preschoolers, enjoy an artist-led journey using storytelling and play while learning about simple circuit making, coding, and computational thinking in a stimulating and fun environment.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS (K-12)
EXHIBITION TOURS
New Media Gallery Exhibition Tours are developed for a range of ages and interested; schools, universities, and special interest groups and special events as well as general public tours. Tours are led by a Curator or Curatorial Programmer and may be booked in advance.
Exhibition Tour | 30 - 60 min | Free Pre-Activity | PDF Handout | Free
CREATIVE TECH WORKSHOPS
Our workshops integrate ideas from the exhibition together with BC’s new Core Curriculum. Big Ideas inform each exciting 1.5 – 3 hour Workshop where a focus on process and inquiry-based learning are key. Encouraging and building on a vibrant & dynamic process of creativity and imagination in workshop situations is our thing; we champion individual and collective brainstorming and focused play!
Creative Tech Workshop | 60 - 120 min | Cost: $150 + GST (includes tour + pre-activity)
(For young children, we may be able to offer a separate space for break time)
CAMPS
ART + TECH PLAYlist CAMP
Create with different technology each day during this artist-led and play-focused camp. Create amazing works of art and invention. Explore video, music, circuits, coding and animation. Instructor: Jae Lew.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | March 17 - 21, 2025
Registration Fee: $150.00 / 5 sessions
CREATIVE FILM CAMP
Explore the world of film and all its narrative possibilities. Learn about filmmaking process from real artist filmmakers as they teach script-writing to film recording to editing. Use cutting edge software to edit your film and add special effects. For young filmmakers interested in expressing their ideas through film and video. Instructor: Louise Lathey.
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Monday to Friday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | March 17 - 21, 2025
Registration Fee: $150.00 / 5 sessions
ANIMATION NOW CAMP
Learn about the world of stop-motion animation and bring your own characters and stories to life. Students are assigned their own camera and animation space to be as creative as they want. Take home animated artworks to share with friends and family. Instructor: Stéphane Bernard
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | March 24 - 28, 2025
Registration Fee: $150.00 / 5 sessions
SOUND EXPLORERS CAMP
Learn to make electronic sounds using synthesizers, field recorders, and audio softwares. Go beyond the presets of the equipment and learn to blend sounds in exciting ways. Make audio collages and soundtracks for your video projects or any sound-based idea you have. Instructor: Victoria Gibson
Art + Technology LAB, Anvil Centre
Monday to Friday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | March 24 - 28, 2025
Registration Fee: $150.00 / 5 sessions
SCHOOL'S OUT: FILM IN A DAY CAMP (7 - 12 & 35+ years) Caregiver Participation
Tell your story, all in one day! Explore the world of film and all its narrative possibilities. Learn about filmmaking process from script-writing to film recording to editing. Use software to edit your film and add special effects. Each child must participate with an adult. Register only the child.
NEW MEDIA SKILLS - ONLINE
Enjoy complimentary access to online Art + Technology programming, via Vimeo. Created by our Creative Tech Instructors between 2020-2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3D PRINTED SOUND MAKERS
A super-creative program that explores music & sound, and teaches children how to create 3-D Printed renderings on the computer using the program, Tinkercad. Then it’s time to construct everything into amazing, moveable, wearable soft sound-makers!
A series of videos for New Media Gallery's Rethink Thingness workshop. The videos will feature lessons on how to explore common household items, learn how they work and gain inspiration into reusing them into new creations.
The Art + Technology Micro-Residency program ran from 2020 - 2023. This program offered a five-day learning Residency that gave access to available equipment, knowledge and space(s) for artists at every stage of their career to experiment with or question how to include specific new media in their practice. The Residency offered access to experienced NMG staff, the Art + Technology LAB, and all its available equipment.
For this Residency, the aim was to support those in the community that face entrenched marginalization due to attitudinal, historic, social and environmental barriers including age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation or transgender status. We considered proposals from applicants without a formal CV. We will consider proposals from those without technological experience. All applications were seriously considered. Artists were able to bring their own tech to the residency. Technology mentorship and program management was supported by NMG Creative Tech Instructors. Additionally, opportunities for presentation, feedback and discussion with NMG Director/Curators was provided.
Please note: New Media Gallery Micro Residency came to an end in 2023 and applications are no longer being accepted.
* Please note: applications are currently not being accepted as this program is no longer running *
Complete our Micro Residency Application , which included:
- Name, Phone and Email
- Dates you are available for Micro Residency
- The municipality where you live and where you work or have a studio
- Project Proposal (500 words)
- Description of a Past Project you have completed (100 words)
- Three to seven images and/or three minutes of video documenting existing work or future projects (provide URL links to video)
- Image List
- Two References
Applicants who are currently employed, affiliated or have been accepted into programs within the City of New Westminster or have previously participated in a Micro Residency will be exempt from consideration. All Micro Residencies will be actively documented and recorded by New Media Gallery Staff. Videos and photos will be created for New Media Gallery Archives and possibly shared on social media or in reports (public sharing will be discussed before posting).
No 2024 dates are being offered as the program is no longer running.
You will be asked to choose any or all of these potential Residency dates. If you are successful, the Art + Technology LAB and its technologies will be made available to you for five consecutive days from Wednesday to Sunday. The LAB will remain open to gallery staff at this time. Hours of access can be discussed but generally must be concurrent with opening hours & staff availability.
- Access to one NMG Creative Tech Instructor and input from the NMG Director/Curators.
- Access to the Art + Technology LAB and a separate, personal area to set up projects.
- Hours of access can be discussed but generally must be concurrent with opening hours.
- Access to Technology instruction and demonstrations on Day 1
- Access to advice and help with trouble-shooting on Days 2 + 3
- Independent Residency time on Day 4 + 5.
Artists were welcome to use the technology we have available or bring their own technology to the residency
Current technology within the LAB includes:
6 x Tinkerine Ditto Pro 3D printers (1.75mm filament)
4 x Oculus Rift headset with 4 x PCs (Intel Quad Core processors, Radeon graphics card)
6 x Occipital 3D scanners
13 x iPads (5th & 6th generation)
6 x iMacs (3.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, Radeon Pro 570 4 GB, 8gb RAM)
1 x 10’x12’ green screen with frame and soft lights
6 x Tascam DR40 Field Recorders
6 x Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interfaces
HD projectors
4 x Genelec monitor speakers
6 x LG 26” Ultra HD monitors
LittleBits Pro Library, Code Kit and Synth Kit
Microsoft Kinect
Unfortunately we cannot cover the costs for extensive use of consumables (eg. PLA filament for 3D printing). Storage devices and electronic components should be discussed and there may be the possibility to purchase them at cost from New Media Gallery.
Artists of all backgrounds and ages were invited to submit proposals. All applications were seriously considered and went through a vetting system. We considered proposals from applicants without a formal CV. We considered proposals from those without technological experience.
Our aim was to support those in the community that face entrenched marginalization due to attitudinal, historic, social and environmental barriers including age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation or transgender status.
We also encouraged applications from those who may not have the resources to afford expensive technology. Artists will were asked for a short interview prior to the final selection.
* Please note: applications are currently not being accepted as the program is no longer running *
We will seriously consider all proposals, but we are especially interested in proposals that:
- Demonstrate the potential and need to experiment with technology.
- Describe the Technology you will use in the Learning Lab
- Describe your past experience with Technology.
- Demonstrate your potential for developing challenging projects
- Demonstrate your interest in exploring issues related to social justice or the environment.
- Describe how your background relates to your artistic practice.