Credit: Ian Douglas
ACT Labs x NYC kicked off in May by the New York Live Arts, a movement-focused arts organization, Fine Acts and the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
Eight pairs of carefully selected and matched fellows, an artist and a technologist, took part in the hack-art-thon to prototype projects that raise awareness or contribute to a concrete solution for Breaking The Stigma around Mental Health Problems.
According to a 2016 survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness. This number doesn’t include those of who work in the military, are under age, incarcerated, or homeless. Often, these are the communities that are the most disproportionately affected. The stigma surrounding mental illness often prevents us from seeking the help we may need, or from reaching out to someone we know to be suffering. Removing the stigma and the layers of silence that surround mental illness is urgent and important.
The winning team will receive $5000 in grant funding to continue developing the project. Other prizes include year-long mentorship and support, artist residencies, opportunities to present their work and more.
Find out more the project ideas at actlabs.co. Interested in running your own ACT Labs? Wondering how to use art and tech for solving human rights issues? Apply now!