Meta has launched its Spark Indigenous Augmented Reality Creator Accelerator in partnership with Slow Studies Creative. The program provides 10 Indigenous creators in Canada with training to integrate immersive AR experiences with their cultural expression. The accelerator aims to help indigenous creators share their stories and art through augmented reality.
Slow Studies Creative founder Josh Conrad developed the program to empower indigenous creators within the realm of augmented reality. According to Meta, the program will aid creators in developing a presence in the digital domain to ensure their cultures are represented.
“Having the voices and values of diverse communities represented in emerging digital spaces is vital to creating inclusive experiences for all to enjoy,” states Meta. “We’re committed to ensuring our technologies are a place for First Nation, Inuit and Métis people to connect to their communities, share their stories, enable cultural preservation and share history — now and in the future.”
Training and support
The Spark Indigenous Augmented Reality Creator Accelerator program will aid creators in converting their art into AR experiences by offering training and support. Participants will work closely with Conrad through the accelerator program as they utilise free AR design toolkit Meta Spark Studio to develop AR experiences. Currently, Meta Spark Studio hosts over 750 million monthly users who use the toolkit to communicate and build AR experiences.
Creators will also have access to weekly sessions where they can share ideas and learn about other participants’ art practices. Additionally, participants will use these sessions to reflect on how AR experiences can positively impact social movements. After the program wraps up, Slow Creative Studio will make all the tutorials available to anyone wishing to learn to create AR experiences.
The global AR market is forecast to increase by 48.8% each year through 2031, while projections show the AR and VR markets may be worth $8.2 billion by 2028.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
