JT Lab

JT Lab consists of three experiments that will run over two years: xA, xB, and xC
xA
Embedded Art Professional. Working closely with senior park staff, artist and Otis lecturer Rebecca Lowry will create new, mission assistive projects for Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve. This collaborative effort will develop innovative solutions to both new and stubborn issues. Lowry will also function as a creative problem solver, contributing ideas to any aspect of park management in which a new outlook is desired.

xB
Art Volunteers. Led by Otis alumna Jenny Kane, xB will build bridges to local and regional art communities by facilitating broad engagement. It allows artists to contribute on periodic or temporary bases and accommodates many disciplines, ages and talents. xB consists of two tracks. One track gives artists opportunities to supplement existing Joshua Tree National Park interpretive efforts with programs of their own design. Such projects may include guided artist walks, evening programs, and themed exhibits. A second track provides artists undertaking substantial projects of their own the opportunity to collaborate with park staff or to access park resources so as to enrich or complete their project. All xB projects must be in some way pertinent to the park and its mission.

xC
Future Park/Art Professionals. Every summer Joshua Tree hosts high school student interns. Experiment C aims to build on this program by bringing college-age youth from partners Otis College of Art and Design and the Copper Mountain College Art Program to work with these interns on creative projects. Teams will create mission-assistive projects and programming for the park, aimed at their own age group. In doing so, they will learn specific skills, gain new role models, and discover new opportunities for their own futures. This experiment will be jointly run by Joshua Tree National Park, Otis College of Art and Design, and Copper Mountain College.