TERMS: OPEN CALL NUBIA LAB – INCUBATION
APPLY NOW: CONVOCATÒRIA OBERTA: NUBIA LAB INCUBACIÓ 2023 (google.com)
NUBiA LAB INCUBATION is a local creative and artist incubation programme designed to support the development of innovative projects through mentoring and workshops in the technological and artistic field, followed by an exhibition and selection of curatorial projects. Projects will have the opportunity to join the platform at www.nubia.world.
A prior selection of 4 projects to incubate, led by local artists and creatives, will take place through a call promoted via social media. The residency will be hosted at the ESPRONCEDA Institute of Art and Culture, which will provide all the services necessary for the team’s daytime stay. The incubation period will be hybrid — face-to-face and online — depending on each participant’s availability. From 18 October to November 2023.
The incubation process will last 8 weeks, during which participants will develop their Metaverse and mixed-reality projects within their teams. NUBIA provides technological development teams as well as a mentoring process with industry experts and tutors who will follow each project and offer guidance on every topic.
Every artist will receive a grant of €200, and the finalist project — selected by a professional jury — will be awarded a prize of €1,500.
Objective of the call
To generate innovative liminal projects between the physical and digital worlds. To present to a jury coordinated by NUBIA a range of projects relating to the Metaverse, Web3, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and more. Finally, to participate in the closing exhibition at the art gallery of the Espronceda Institute of Art and Culture.
New artists and creatives selected by a professional jury will be invited to join the NUBIA community, where their profile will be published on the website and their project recorded. Projects reaching the appropriate level may be invited to participate in subsequent exhibitions at Espronceda or other associated centres.
Selection process
The call is open to candidates from across Catalonia who have knowledge of advanced technologies (at any level) and an artistic, creative, or technical background. The call will be published on 23 August 2023 and will remain open until 10 October. Shortlisted candidates will be notified shortly after submitting their portfolio and proposal. Priority will be given to young creatives and artists who are interested in or studying undergraduate or university degrees linked to creation and new technologies.
How can I apply?
It is very simple — fill in the form below and we will send you an email as soon as we have accepted your proposal or candidacy.
Evaluation criteria
NUBIA Lab is not only for artists — it is for all kinds of interdisciplinary profiles who want to take part in Metaverse projects. Among the criteria considered are:
Previous experience working with NFT/blockchain projects.
Knowledge of immersive technologies with a view to generating a Metaverse within the NUBIA world.
Artistic concept of the proposal.
Willingness to engage with a project and keep learning.
What does the residency include?
NUBIA LAB Incubation participants will have access to training through online and in-person workshops on advanced Metaverse technologies, run by industry professionals. Both on-site and online workshops on key technologies and competencies for Metaverse creation will be offered. These workshops will be delivered by lecturers and practitioners linked to leading universities and institutions in Catalonia, such as: UB, UPC, UOC, Pompeu Fabra, Ramon Llull, UAB, Neàpolis Vilanova, Eurecat, Artificia, Garage Stories, Ircam, Royal College of Art, etc. International experts and established, visionary Metaverse artists will also be invited.
FACE-TO-FACE AND ONLINE WORKSHOPS
The proposed workshops are as follows (duration 2–4 hours each; exact dates to be confirmed).
First phase: Conceptualisation Workshops.
- Storytelling for immersive installations [Àlex Ginés (Neàpolis)]
- Social impact in projects [TBD]
Second phase: Technical Workshops.
- Creative Artificial Intelligence [Javier from EURECAT]
- Augmented Reality [Kris Pilcher]
- Virtual Reality [Fran Macia (UPF)]
- Haptics [Esen (UPC)]
- IRCAM Software [Paola Palumbo (IRCAM)]
- AI Tools [Lisette Remus (Artificia)]
- Third phase: Marketing Workshops.
- Business model [Marta Ordeig (Garage Stories)]
- 16th and 17th October: International project management [Soliman López]
- International markets [Camille Baker (RCA)]
- Business management [TBD]
The workshops give creative artists who do not have access to complex equipment the opportunity to work with tools such as virtual reality headsets, high-spec computers, or computing infrastructure.
Workshops will be live-streamed online (via YouTube), will be open to a wider audience, and will also be available on the project website: NUBIA. https://nubia.world/
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Espronceda has a limited inventory of equipment — VR headsets, laptops, PCs, projectors, displays, speakers, etc. — which can be used for project development and presentation.
EXHIBITION
Metaverse projects will be presented to the jury and at the public opening. The winning project will be announced and the production award will be presented.
Awards and Grants
1) Free and unlimited access to Espronceda’s technical equipment: laptops, virtual reality headsets, projectors, LED displays, etc.
2) Accommodation in residency spaces for artist-creators from outside Barcelona.
3) Maintenance grant: €200 per participant.
4) Final prize of €1,500 for the production of the project chosen by the jury.
Obligations
NUBIA participants are required to promote the NUBIA programme from the moment they are selected, throughout their work process and afterwards, using the labels and logos provided by the organisation.
Artists must provide NUBIA with an executable copy of the project, which may require installation on specific hardware or software, as well as a written report including the project description and its technical specifications for correct execution.