ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's College of Fine Arts has received $343,000 from the Ohio Board of Regents Technology Initiatives Program to implement Creativity Through Technology Initiative. This initiative will change teaching and learning in the arts by implementing a pioneering and dynamic new model of multi-disciplinary, creativity-centered digital arts teaching.

The Board of Regents Technology Initiatives Program awards state appropriated funds to public universities for "the development or enhancement of content to provide innovative and creative and learning activities and opportunities for students."

"This multi-disciplinary 'Fine Arts Creativity Center' will provide an environment for faculty and students to be engaged in creative processes that redefine artistic and aesthetic properties in digital reality," said Raymond Tymas-Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts.

The initiative seeks to foster creative work and artistic development across all arts disciplines with the help of cutting-edge technology. Initially, the initiative will make available a state-of-the-art computer lab where College of Fine Arts students will be able to learn complex technology skills and concepts that are unique to the digital arts. Future plans call for construction of a computer-enhanced performance space where performers can employ such technology as motion sensors, voice recognition devices and motorized digital video cameras.

The College of Fine Arts Creativity Center, as the computer lab will be known, will be a teaching facility, a research facility and an open-access lab for students. The lab will provide specialized technology for artistic work in digital video, 3D, Web design and many other digital arts. The center will become an incubator for both the theory and practice of the digital arts in the region.

"This grant is essential to the future of arts education in Ohio," said Alastair Thorne, project director. "It's about art. Artists are about making art and showing it to people. That's what this whole initiative boils down to, art for a new era."