14 Jul Announcing our new Independent XR Distribution Coalition and an Agog Grant to explore Libraries as hubs for XR.
A collaborative field initiative
Spearheaded by XR professionals at the intersection of film, performing arts, civic design & games, the Independent XR Distribution Coalition brings together artists and culture workers in a participatory research process to radically co-create, support and connect independent and inclusive XR distribution ecosystems of the future that counter the big tech agenda.
Through an interdisciplinary field scan, ecosystem building, and collaborative case studies, we develop bold alternatives for how immersive works are shared and sustained. Housed at MIT Open Documentary Lab, the initiative serves as a testing ground for visionary distribution models—shaping the future of independent XR as an interconnected, equitable, and artist-centered ecosystem.
Values
The Coalition exists for, by and with the immersive field: to unite, advocate for, and co-create independent distribution ecosystems across platforms and borders. By forming a Coalition, we believe that together, we are stronger—better positioned to form global, interdisciplinary, and inclusive networks that support the sustainable flow of immersive work.
Methodologies
Collaborative Case Studies
We collaborate with artists, culture workers, and institutions to imagine and develop distribution strategies from the beginning of the project’s life cycle.
Interdisciplinary Field Scan
We interview a wide span of experts, investigate strategies and obstacles, and identify opportunities for cross-disciplinary exchange.
Ecosystem Building
We host regular Think Tank sessions with advisors: a network of industry leaders collaborating to shape equitable futures of immersive distribution. We share findings through a transparent research process, newsletters, publications, workshops and public talks.
Collaborative Case Studies
Libraries as hubs for XR distribution, exhibition and creation
As longstanding centers for knowledge exchange, civic engagement, and public access to knowledge, libraries offer a unique infrastructure for fostering immersive storytelling outside of corporate pipelines. Libraries are everywhere—from small rural towns to big cities, on the coasts and in the prairies of middle America. They are open to all and an important equalizer of knowledge. They have deep roots in their communities with long-term relationships with community centers and schools.
We are collaborating with Cambridge Public Library, LA Public Library as well as Stanford Public library to explore the potential role of libraries in commissioning, distributing, and expanding access to immersive experiences.
This initiative is funded by Agog: The Immersive Media Institute.
The IDFA MIT Immersive Network Research & Development Program
XR Pipelines Distribution Research
As part of our research collaboration with the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA), this year’s focus is on XR distribution, exhibition, and sustainability. An emergent field, distribution ecosystems are nascent and audiences relatively small although growing. It’s a time of great experimentation not only with form but with access.
As a result, we embarked on this research to gather and analyze current distribution models across disciplines, platforms and borders within the field and beyond and present a series of recommendations for distribution pipelines and networks that can lead to a more robust and sustainable XR media ecosystem.
We started by conducting a field scan of XR distribution and exhibition research, initiatives and case studies in order to compare and analyze trends, and identify possibilities and challenges for sustainable models. The key findings of this field scan were used as a basis for further research and feedback during the festival. We hosted 5 focus groups and industry conversations to discuss the findings.
The third stage consists of interviews with artists from the IDFA DocLab program, media professionals and scholars before and after the festival. The final deliverable will be a data visualization, web posting and/or report of our findings with recommendations for distribution pipelines and further research.
Partners
Founding Partner
