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Today, we\u2019re launching the <\/span>Spark Indigenous Augmented Reality Creator Accelerator<\/span><\/i><\/a> in partnership with <\/span>Slow Studies Creative<\/span><\/a>. The five-week incubator program provides 10 Indigenous creators in Canada with customized, hands-on training to incorporate immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences as part of their cultural expression and storytelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Emerging technology like AR, which <\/span>overlays digital objects onto the physical world<\/span>, allows creators to express themselves and showcase their culture in new ways, while connecting with audiences beyond the limits of physical spaces. Meta Spark currently enables more than 750 million people to experience AR for connection, communication and expression across Meta\u2019s technologies every month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist and founder of Slow Studies Creative, <\/span>Josh Conrad<\/span><\/a>, developed <\/span>Spark Indigenous<\/span><\/i> to empower Indigenous creators to be cultural stewards in this emerging digital space. The program<\/span> aims to break down the barriers of entry that often prevent underrepresented communities from establishing their presence in digital spaces, ensuring that Indigenous voices and culture are represented for the world to hear and see.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The program will provide participating creators with the training and support to build their own AR experiences and bring their creative ideas to life using <\/span>Meta Spark Studio<\/span><\/a>, a free AR design toolkit. Throughout the program, each creator will work closely with Josh, and use AR assets developed by the program\u2019s lead creators \u2014 Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Ovila Mailhot and Mel Beaulieu \u2014 to build immersive experiences based on their art practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Creators will participate in weekly sessions that will offer them the opportunity to share ideas, learn from one another\u2019s artistic practice and consider how AR experiences can be used to support social movements and amplify meaningful causes. Once the program is complete, Slow Studies Creative will make the tutorials available to anyone interested in learning to build AR experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n Having the voices and values of diverse communities represented in emerging digital spaces is vital to creating inclusive experiences for all to enjoy. We\u2019re committed to ensuring our technologies are a place for First Nation, Inuit and M\u00e9tis people to connect to their communities, share their stories, enable cultural preservation and share history \u2014 now and in the future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nMeet the Creators<\/h2>\n