iShed

Sep 2007 - present

iShed was established by Watershed in 2007 as a community interest company to act as a cultural entrepreneur and ideas incubator, supporting and promoting research and knowledge exchange between the creative, computing and communications sectors.

iShed seeks to act as a ‘cultural broker’, using the hub position of Watershed to make introductions and create opportunities for networking and supporting interdisciplinary collaborations between individuals, companies, organisations and academia. iShed aims to create a world-class connected creative ecology. Key to achieving these ambitions is the development of people, ideas and talent and the ability to attract new talent, ideas and finance to the region, growing its reputation as a centre for experimentation and innovation.

iShed extends the impact of Watershed, widening opportunities for engagement with the technology and science sector, generating new income and allowing potential for joint ventures.

Some of the initial outcomes of iShed’s work have included; the creation, in partnership with HP Labs, of the Pervasive Media Studio which brings together practitioners, researchers and users from diverse backgrounds to explore the emerging form of pervasive media. iShed also runs Media Sandbox, an acclaimed development scheme that promotes risk and innovation in creative industries, through targeted, themed commissions and an emphasis on community.

iShed facilitates partnerships between industry, artists and creative companies identifying funding opportunities and supporting new ideas. Through events, networking, consultancy and projects, iShed gives people and ideas the time and space to develop, be explored, debated and delivered. The outcomes of all the projects are published and showcased in order to share learning, knowledge and networks with the wider national and international creative community.

iShed

Background image: Media Sandbox