Twin Peaks' haunting melodic theme echoes in the cavernous space of Factory Media Centre, Hamilton's not-for-profit artist-driven resource centre dedicated to supporting the media arts. The centre gives voice to aspiring artists like the women splicing together their montage to the lilting instrumentals on the centre's workstations along with more established artists such as Shift, McMaster University's Cybernetic Orchestra and the audio-video work of Thea Jones and Michael James Robinson. "We're a community space where media arts artists gather to collaborate, exchange ideas and find support in the production of time-based media," Laura Walker, the facility's arts administrator explains.
Supported by three tiers of government funding, the organization behind the centre was established in 2004 by individuals who lamented the dearth of accessible production facilities for those interested in the audio, visual and technological arts in Hamilton. Along with offering mentorship, memberships, workshops and lectures, equipment and space rentals for regional artists and other interested parties, Factory Media Centre also issues calls for submissions twice annually and hosts installations every second Friday of the month during the city's Artcrawl.
"We're an inclusive space," Laura says. "Artists can come and we can work with them to assemble a grant to fund an idea," she explains of the free mentorship service provided under the Factory Media Centre umbrella.
