911 Media Arts Center
Encyclopedia
911 Media Arts Center is a non-profit media arts and access center located in Seattle, Washington. 911 Media Arts Center was incorporated on August 14, 1984 to support the expressive use of media tools through training, equipment and access grants. The organization also provides a forum and venue for those working in the new media disciplines. The center is a member supported non-profit organization and receives other funding from education tuition and state, city and county grants, along with grants from private foundations and individuals.
Initially known as the Focal Point Media Center, "Nine One One Media" split off from the AND/OR Gallery in Seattle during August 1984. The center was founded by Anne Focke, Heather Dew Oaksen, Jill Medvedow, Nori Sato and others. 911 Media Arts Center was originally located at 911 E. Pine Street in Seattle, hence the namesake.
The first director of the organization, during 1984-85, was Jill Medvedow who is now director at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. The directorship was followed by Glenn Weiss during 1986-88, Weiss is now Manager of Public Art in Times Square
. The current director is art historian, critic and educator Steven Michael Vroom.
911 Media Arts Center has had addresses on both Yale Street and 9th Ave in what is now the South Lake Union neighborhood. The center is currently located at 909 NE 43rd Street Suite 206, in the same building as the Jack Straw Foundation.
In 2011, under the directorship of Steven Michael Vroom, the center received a $50,000 capacity building grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation.
.
The organization also provides access to equipment resources, such as cameras and editing facilities, as part of its operations.
911 Media also supports civic programs involving media literacy with the City of Seattle and greater King County, WA. It also partners with, and aids, other local non-profit organizations such as the Seattle Art Museum
, Wing Luke Museum and the Museum of History and Industry
.
In 1990, Guillermo Gómez-Peña
was invited to perform at On The Boards
in partnership with 911 Media. In 1994 the Northwest Cyber Artists partnered with 911 Media Arts Center to create an exhibit of interactive art
at the Seattle Center House. Gary Hill
has also exhibited at the center several times since its inception.
Among artists-in-residence is director James Longley (filmmaker)
, who edited the documentary Iraq in Fragments
at the center working with producer John Sinno. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Documentary Feature
. Other recent recipients of the centers artist-in-residence programs include Margot Knight, whose work has been featured internationally in magazines such as PHOTO France, EFX Art & Design, and Zoom.
History
The first director of the organization, during 1984-85, was Jill Medvedow who is now director at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. The directorship was followed by Glenn Weiss during 1986-88, Weiss is now Manager of Public Art in Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
. The current director is art historian, critic and educator Steven Michael Vroom.
911 Media Arts Center has had addresses on both Yale Street and 9th Ave in what is now the South Lake Union neighborhood. The center is currently located at 909 NE 43rd Street Suite 206, in the same building as the Jack Straw Foundation.
In 2011, under the directorship of Steven Michael Vroom, the center received a $50,000 capacity building grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation.
Services
The center provides education for professionals, students and youth. Classes and workshops topics focus on media literacy including video, audio, physical computing, image processing, code art and web production. Youth education is a strong focus of the organization. Current partnerships include Coyote Central and Northwest African American MuseumNorthwest African American Museum
The Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, Washington, USA opened March 8, 2008. Intended to "document and exhibit the unique historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest", the museum is part of the new Urban League Village at the former...
.
The organization also provides access to equipment resources, such as cameras and editing facilities, as part of its operations.
911 Media also supports civic programs involving media literacy with the City of Seattle and greater King County, WA. It also partners with, and aids, other local non-profit organizations such as the Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum is an art museum located in Seattle, Washington, USA. It maintains three major facilities: its main museum in downtown Seattle; the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the central Seattle waterfront, which opened on...
, Wing Luke Museum and the Museum of History and Industry
Museum of History and Industry
The Museum of History and Industry is a museum located in the Montlake neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States.Accredited by the American Association of Museums, MOHAI is "dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, sharing and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound...
.
Artists and exhibitions
911 Seattle Media Arts Center has hosted and exhibited works by filmmakers and video artists since its founding.In 1990, Guillermo Gómez-Peña
Guillermo Gómez-Peña
Guillermo Gómez-Peña was born in Mexico City and moved to the US in 1978, where he established himself as a performance artist, writer, activist, and educator. He has pioneered multiple media, including performance art, experimental radio, video, performance photography and installation art...
was invited to perform at On The Boards
On the Boards
On the Boards is a non-profit contemporary performing arts organization in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1978. Originally located at Washington Hall in the Central District, the organization moved in 1998 to their current location in Lower Queen Anne...
in partnership with 911 Media. In 1994 the Northwest Cyber Artists partnered with 911 Media Arts Center to create an exhibit of interactive art
Interactive art
Interactive art is a form of installation-based art that involves the spectator in a way that allows the art to achieve its purpose. Some installations achieve this by letting the observer or visitor "walk" in, on, and around them; Some others ask the artist to become part of the artwork.Works of...
at the Seattle Center House. Gary Hill
Gary Hill
Gary Hill is an American artist who lives and works in Seattle, Washington.One of the pioneers of video art, Gary Hill has exhibited his video and video installations worldwide . He is represented by Donald Young Gallery of Chicago.An anthology on the work of Gary Hill by Robert C...
has also exhibited at the center several times since its inception.
Among artists-in-residence is director James Longley (filmmaker)
James Longley (filmmaker)
- Career :His work includes the documentary, Gaza Strip, released in 2002. His production, Iraq in Fragments, presents a view of Iraq and Iraqis during the first two years of Iraq war. It was awarded three jury awards at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for...
, who edited the documentary Iraq in Fragments
Iraq in Fragments
Iraq in Fragments is a documentary feature directed by James Longley. Longley shot the film in Digital Video on a Panasonic DVX100 miniDV camcorder. The film premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. The film is also a part of the Iraq Media Action Project film collection. It was nominated for...
at the center working with producer John Sinno. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Documentary Feature
Academy Award for Documentary Feature
The Academy Award for Documentary Feature is among the most prestigious awards for documentary films.- Winners and nominees:Following the Academy's practice, films are listed below by the award year...
. Other recent recipients of the centers artist-in-residence programs include Margot Knight, whose work has been featured internationally in magazines such as PHOTO France, EFX Art & Design, and Zoom.
External links
- 911 Media Arts Center, official site