To give back to the New Orleans local community, SIGGRAPH introduces the SIGGRAPH 2009+1 Outreach program, giving people from around the globe opportunities to give back through a series of partnerships with local organizations. These outreach efforts focus on helping to educate local youth about enriching careers in technology and creative arts with a long term goal of strengthening the community as a whole by investing in this next generation.
"With its history rich in the arts and music, New Orleans is the quintessential SIGGRAPH host city. It will have hosted SIGGRAPH now three times and the tourism experience is even better than before," stated Jerome Solomon, SIGGRAPH 2009+1 Outreach Chair from Industrial Light & Magic. "The creative influences and unique characteristics that are deeply rooted in the city's art, music, architecture, and food closely correspond to the personalities and interests of the caring and generous SIGGRAPH community. Our '2009 + 1' outreach programs build on this spirit and will generate a lasting impact on this deserving community."
SIGGRAPH 2009+1 Outreach program details are outline below. Multiple image/broadcast opportunities will be available:
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Algiers Technical Academy: A charter high school that is part
of the Algiers Charter Schools Association, features several courses
to train students in computer graphics.
SIGGRAPH is performing a complete makeover of the school’s computer room and creating a new student computer graphics lab with computers donated from Walt Disney Animation Studios and software donated from Autodesk. Volunteers are needed to assist with painting, decorating, hardware setup, networking, software installation, and general cleanup of the lab. Volunteers can register online at http://www.siggraph.org/s2009/community/outreach/ata.php. -
Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp: A camp
that trains 100 young people per year (ages 10-21) in music and dance
on a very limited budget. It also offers three week-long training
programs in the music business, recording engineering, and music
notation technology for advanced students.
To support the camp, SIGGRAPH 2009 is partnering with Basin Street Records to offer a custom album of music by some of the city's finest musicians. Proceeds from the $9.99 album download will support the camp and its musical kids. Plus, this allows people from around the world to help out an important New Orleans initiative. The album is readily available for download here: http://www.siggraph.org/s2009/community/outreach/index.php#louis. -
NOCCA - New Orleans Center for Creative Arts: A school in New
Orleans providing pre-professional arts training to middle and high
school students in culinary arts, dance, media arts, music (classical,
jazz, vocal), theater arts (drama, musical theater, theater design),
visual arts, and creative writing.
SIGGRAPH is bringing 50 students from NOCCA and 50 students from Algiers Technical Academy for a mentor/mentee day with attendees that will provide students with a glimpse into a variety of professions available in the world of computer graphics and interactive techniques. Registration information is available here: http://www.siggraph.org/s2009/community/outreach/index.php -
Tipitina's Foundation: A non-profit organization that features
"Instruments a Comin," a program that provides new musical instruments
to New Orleans area schools.
SIGGRAPH is putting in place a mobile text message-based fundraising campaign that people can participate in during SIGGRAPH.
For detailed information on the SIGGRAPH 2009+1 Outreach program visit http://www.siggraph.org/s2009/community/outreach/index.php. For complete information on the SIGGRAPH 2009 dynamic program or to download a copy of the SIGGRAPH 2009 Preview Video visit www.siggraph.org/s2009.
About SIGGRAPH 2009
SIGGRAPH 2009 will bring an anticipated 20,000 computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA for the industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, music, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web from Monday, 3 August through Friday, 7 August 2009 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2009 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 4-6 August 2009. More than 200 international exhibiting companies are expected. More details are available at www.siggraph.org/s2009.
About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery
www.acm.org,
is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society,
uniting educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue,
share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the
computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership,
promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical
excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by
providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and
professional networking.
