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THE 2ND ANNUAL

CAHAYA XR
MENTORSHIP
OPEN CALL
2023

Are you a Penang artist interested in building your skillset in immersive design and experience creation? Are you interested in the meeting point of technology, nature and immersive realities? We are accepting artist applications until 5th Aug 2023. 

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The Cahaya XR Annual Mentorship provides an opportunity for Penang artists and community members to embark on an intensive learning program in XR (Extended Reality) storytelling for the Metaverse - with a specific focus on creating in VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality).

 

This year the Mentorship is in partnership with The Habitat Penang Hill and will encourage artists to explore the intersection of nature conservation work, climate impact and metaverse realities in Penang. The program is designed with an initial learning intensive via XR Masterclasses & Labs with Malaysian and international XR professionals, followed by a 6 month research and development phase where artists produce their own XR prototype work supported by the Maitree XR team. 

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Special thanks to Penang Arts District and The Habitat Penang Hill for their support.

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WHO IS IT FOR?

The Cahaya XR Mentorship program is open to all artists in Malaysia. As the program is based in Penang however, special consideration will be given for artists based in Penang so they can attend the research and development sessions at The Habitat, Penang Hill.

To be eligible you must:

  • Be 18 years old and above

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Malaysia

  • Be willing to learn new digital skills, work in unfamiliar and/or new software as well as digital tools

  • Experience working with communities is a plus 

  • Have proven experience in using any digital tools before in their creative practice

  • Experience in any of the following: 

    • Interpretative storytelling: Visual arts, storytelling, dance, sound design, 2D or 3D animation

    • 3D Software: Blender, Maya, Houdini and others

    • Game engines: UNITY, Unreal Engine, amongst others.

    • Editing software: Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop or similar.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The XR Mentorship provides a platform for emerging Malaysian and SE Asian digital creators and artists to explore artistic and narrative creation in the metaverse. The overarching goals of the 2023 program are to:

  • Shine a light on the unique biodiversity of Penang's biosphere

  • Build the digital / XR capacity for emerging Malaysian digital creators. 

  • Increase Malaysian and SE Asian representation and stories on metaverse platforms.

  • Encourage artists to work  and co-create story experiences with broader communities. 

  • Expand the scope of work for artists in Malaysia.

  • Encourage artists to consider content that is informed by the environment and to produce work that may have social impact.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

  • 6 month Mentorship guided
    and supported by the Maitree XR team

  • 2 Week XR Masterclass Series

  • Exclusive access to Habitat nature trails
    and leading conservationists 

  • Monthly feedback from a panel of
    XR professionals

  • Building a Prototype with support

  • Presentation of work in Industry showing at
    Habitat and pop up exhibition in Georgetown

  • Artist participation payment

  • Access to XR creation tools 

  • Individual one on one support

  • Unity technologist support 

  • Software access

  • Access to capture tools such as:
    motion capture suits, 360 cameras,
    volumetric depth kit and more.

  • Support to professionally exhibit your work
    and explore future development options

WHEN IS IT?

The program starts in August 2023 and runs through to January 2024.

HOW TO APPLY?

​By clicking the link to our application form above, it requires you to:

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  • Tell us about yourselves and why you’re interested in being part of this residency (short 1 minute video clip).

  • Provide links to previous works/portfolio that showcases your work.

  • Tell us your creative expertise / specialised area.

  • Tell us about your interest in environmental conservation and technology.

  • Describe your idea for an original artistic XR work drawing attention to Penang's unique biosphere reserve and/or the impacts of climate change on Penang's natural habitat.

For more enquiries, please contact luvenia@maitreehouse.com

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