Lincoln Center Unveils New Class of Innovators Combining Tech and Theater

Lincoln Center's Collider Fellows Explore How Tech Can Transform Performing Arts The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has announced its second class of Collider Fellows, a group of six artists working at the intersection of technology and live performance. The fellowship program is focused on exploring how emerging technologies can transform the performing arts. At a time when concerns about technology's impact on arts and culture are high, the Collider Fellowship is taking a forward-thinking approach by welcoming multi-disciplinary artists to explore new opportunities. According to Jordana Leigh, vice president of programming at Lincoln Center, "I love that they're all really thoughtful people who are not just thinking about the work itself, but how it fits into a larger conversation in arts and technology." The six Fellows selected for this year's program come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. They include artists working with virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the immersive 4DSound System. Leigh expressed her enthusiasm for the group, saying, "They're all really excited to explore how tech can benefit the arts, rather than just being concerned about its impact." The Collider Fellowship is part of a broader effort by Lincoln Center to stay at the forefront of technological innovation in the performing arts. According to Leigh, "I'm an eternal optimist about how tech can benefit the arts." She pointed out that technology is not necessarily a replacement for human creativity, but rather a tool that can be used to enhance and expand artistic expression. One of the key areas of focus for this year's Fellows is artificial intelligence. While some have raised concerns about AI's potential impact on jobs in the creative industries, Leigh countered that "artists who can use AI as another tool in their toolkit" are the ones who will thrive. She compared AI to a mixer for sound or a paintbrush for paint – tools that can be used to create new and innovative works. The 4DSound System is another area of focus for this year's Fellows. This immersive audio technology uses 3D sound to create an immersive experience for the audience. According to Leigh, "For some artists, technology is catching up to their vision, versus their vision catching up to this technology." Background and context: The Collider Fellowship program was established in 2019 as a way to bring together artists, technologists, and industry experts to explore new opportunities at the intersection of technology and live performance. The program has been successful in attracting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Additional perspectives: According to Leigh, "We're not just looking for people who are interested in tech for its own sake, but rather those who see it as a way to enhance their artistic vision." She emphasized that the Collider Fellowship is focused on collaboration and experimentation, rather than competition or commercialization. Current status and next developments: The second class of Collider Fellows will spend the next year exploring new opportunities at the intersection of technology and live performance. According to Leigh, "We're excited to see what they come up with – it's going to be a really exciting time for the arts." *Reporting by Techcrunch.*