ICT & Arts
Scientific and technological skills are not the only forces driving innovation. Creativity and the involvement of society play a major role in innovation processes. The integration of arts is an essential and fruitful component within research and innovation in ICT. It connects communities of artists and researchers at all levels, including institutions, companies, and individuals. The constant appropriation of new technologies by artists allows them to further actively participate in society. By using ICT as their medium of expression, artists are able to prototype solutions, while creating new products and making new economic, social and business models.
STARTS Program
To follow-up on the ICT ART CONNECT study, the European Commission launched the program STARTS – Science, Technology and the Arts. It attempts to remove the boundaries between art and engineering to stimulate creativity and innovation. An increasing number of high-tech companies embrace the arts as a way to boost their innovation capacity. The STARTS initiative could contribute decisively to competitiveness, sustainability, and social inclusion. More information about the STARTS Initiative here.
RegionArts
Arts are gaining prominence as catalysts in an efficient conversion of Science and Technology knowledge. In this context starts ‘Enhancing SME growth by the integration of Artists in ICT projects – RegionArts’. This Interreg Europe project intents to capitalize and seek inspiration on the aforementioned programs to explore their transfer at regional level. RegionArts aims to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs by combining technological development and innovation with artistic and creative talent. It also intends to foster cross-functional mindsets and interdisciplinary collaboration to increase productivity and performance within ICT SMEs. More information here.
