Pittsburgh's Creative Scene

Pittsburgh is finally starting to gain national traction as a place where technology, art and creativity meet.

Best part about this video is how little thay had to stretch to make it. I can think of a lot of great area companies, game makers, ad agencies, designers and particularly architects that were not included. Also doesn't include the very large number of area firms applying creative technologies to things like weapon systems--something that they might not want to hype.

It's an easy come easy go situation, in that many of these start ups may not be around in a little while, but it looks like there's a lot more on the way.

A few of the companies listed.

Schell Games
Deep Local
Body Media
Songwhale
Maya Design
ModCloth
4 Moms
Interbots
Lightwave International
Beatbots
Animal
LEMUR
Evil Genius Designs

Some stuff they left out.

Yinzcam
Edge Studio
Slate XP
Left Right Studios
Etcetera Edutainment
ClankWorks

Deep Local and Encyclopedia Destructica's Old and New Media Artist Residency

This opportunity is a little complex so interested artists should read all the links and information carefully before applying.

Deep local, a company doing cool techno-geeky design and application stuff has joined with Encyclopedia Destructica to offer a new Three Month Artist Residency Program, designed to create projects joining art and technology.

Residents are asked to arrange their own housing and to work with available Deeplocal technology or assets when appropriate. The available technologies include SMS text messaging, Voice phone systems, iPhone and Android application creation, and the Deeplocal trans-media platform. Residents will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Deeplocal. While a project proposal should include work utilizing these technologies, this is not the only work expected of the resident.

At the end of the residency, the completed project or projects will be promoted and publicly launched through a public exhibit with a partner institution. Deeplocal will host an open studio visit once during the residency to allow their clients, customers, and staff to network with the artists at the company's office space. Encyclopedia Destructica will also host a small exhibition and artist lecture at Encyclopedia Destructica Studios once during the residency. This is a potential opportunity for the resident to expand their sales and support networks.

What do I get?

Artists are given support in the form of money, space, technology, and expertise.

Project funds up to $1,000

Full-time work space at Deeplocal plus support staff and technology assistance one day per week

Artist access privileges with Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Support in art production and promotion and access to printmaking and bookbinding facilities at Encyclopedia Destructica

Access to API for proprietary Deeplocal mobile technology platform, which includes Voice, SMS, web, and mobile
Assistance in grant application writing

Exhibition opportunities, including a public exhibition with a partner institution at the end of the residency, an open studio night at Deeplocal, and an artist lecture at Encyclopedia Destructica

Who should apply?

Anyone who has a creative idea, enthusiasm, a good work ethic, and a desire to learn. Applicants can propose work of nearly any nature and will be evaluated based on creativity, the degree that the project leverages Deeplocal’s technology assets, the need for corporate support, and the likelihood of successful completion in the allotted time frame. Applicants are not required to have any technology background. It may be beneficial to look at what Deeplocal and Encyclopedia Destructica can offer to make sure that you are able to take advantage of their assets.

This opportunity is ongoing and is open to both Pittsburgh and Non Pittsburgh based artists-- however, the actual residency requires staying here for the length of the residency.

Non area artists should remember-- this ain't NY, San Fransisco or LA. It's very cheap here and you may be able to scope out housing if you really want this opportunity to work with the the awesome tech and creative resources Pittsburgh has to offer.

myG20

"A Crowd Curated guide to Pittsburgh"

So, what does that mean? Me, you, everyone is the "crowd". Instead of relying on the mayor, The Cultural Trust, The Tourist Office, The Post Gazette and a few interns at "approved institutions" paint a picture of Pittsburgh, we can play a part ourselves.

How does it work. OK, it took me a while to figure this out.

If your on Twitter

If you think your tweet is about Pittsburgh, Art, Culture, Food, Performances, life in Pittsburgh and you think it might be of interest to people during G20, tag your tweet with #myg20. Just put #myg20 at the end of your tweet.

For Flickr

Yes, it's even better. You can also share the images of happenings and things of interest during g20. Here's how

For Facebook

Yes, you can use Facebook too.

What happens next is that all this stuff tagged #Myg20 shows up on one site Myg20.org

"myG20 is a real-time, crowd-curated guide to Pittsburgh that will take place prior to and during the G20 Summit (September 24 + 25). It is a bottom-up response to the top-down flow of information that takes place around events of this magnitude. The objective of this project is to provide a platform for all people and parties – both on the ground here in Pittsburgh, as well as those looking in from afar – to share information in an efficient manner.

For approximately one week in September, millions of international eyes will focus on our region. And for good reasons. The health care and education sectors along with technology and green development have helped bring our city from an antiquated steel town to a 21st century force to be reckoned with.

Arts and culture in Pittsburgh are thriving. The arts community here is vibrant and impassioned. Our city's museums, artists, performers and performing arts organizations are second to none. They've played an integral role in the transformation of Pittsburgh as well.

So while the international eyes are upon us, tell them what makes Pittsburgh such a special place for you. Engage each other in a dialog about, "Why Pittsburgh?" Share your favorite hidden gem of a restaurant. Upload a photo of a piece of Pittsburgh architecture or public artwork that has made an impact on you. Share your most vivid Pittsburgh memory. Live tweet or photostream one of the many events taking place throughout the city."

MyG20 is a product of The Mattress Factory and Deep Local.

Chalkbot Robot Prints @ The Tour de France

Pittsburgher's love of cycling,robots and conceptual art have combined to print hopeful messages on the roads of France during this years tour.

"The idea behind Chalkbot is simple. Anyone in the world can send a text message to the robot, and it will spray the message in yellow on the course of the Tour de France. Since it’s part of Livestrong’s “It’s About You” awareness campaign, the messages are supposed to be for hope and inspiration to riders and survivors of cancer.

Nathan Martin, CEO of Deeplocal and proud Pittsburgher, never halts at promoting his hometown. Even Chalkbot’s euro license plate says “made in pittsburgh.”

Heads up thanks to Bittersweet Harvest.