Key Takeaways:
- The UNM ARTSLab provides cutting-edge technology and support for interdisciplinary research in the College of Fine Arts.
- The lab specializes in emerging media, including augmented reality, virtual reality, and fabrication technology such as 3D printing.
- The ARTSLab has launched a Community Immersive Technology Hub to make AR and VR technology more accessible to the University and broader Albuquerque community.
- The lab offers a range of equipment and resources, including the largest 3D printer on UNM’s campus and a Digital Jacquard Loom.
- The ARTSLab is moving to a new location, the Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology, which will double the size of the exhibition space and expand the fabrication lab.
Introduction to the ARTSLab
The University of New Mexico’s ARTSLab is a unique facility that provides technology and support for interdisciplinary research in the College of Fine Arts. Located across from the main campus, the ARTSLab is a hub for emerging media, including augmented reality, virtual reality, and fabrication technology such as 3D printing. The lab’s director, Stewart Skylar Copeland, emphasized the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technology, saying, "Keeping up with things is difficult and a lot of work. But it also is the point of the lab, and it creates a really interesting environment where you have a lot of that curiosity, (which) just has its own exciting energy that’s really generative."
The Community Immersive Technology Hub
Recently, the ARTSLab launched its Community Immersive Technology Hub (CITH) to make AR and VR technology more accessible to the University and broader Albuquerque community. The CITH was made possible through congressionally-directed funding as part of a NASA grant, and has already seen significant usage since its launch in 2025. The core concept behind the CITH is to provide access to AR and VR technology, which can be difficult for individuals to obtain on their own. As Copeland explained, "A lot of people are interested in learning AR and VR, but it can be really difficult to get your hands on this technology, so we’re trying to make it more accessible."
Equipment and Resources
The ARTSLab offers a range of equipment and resources, including the largest 3D printer on UNM’s campus, which can fabricate objects up to one-cubic-meter in size. The lab also features a Digital Jacquard Loom, which allows for computer-controlled hand weaving. These resources are available to students, faculty, and staff, and are used for a variety of projects and research initiatives. As Copeland noted, "It’s kind of wild. It feels a little bit like we’re learning at the same time. And we found also that the University is learning at the same time."
Events and Programs
The ARTSLab sponsors a number of events and programs, including the annual New Mexico Dance Hackathon. This event brings together artists who specialize in technology and movement to create new interdisciplinary performances. The ARTSLab also introduced a student-created AR and VR experience called Neon Forge at the Bands of Enchantment Music Festival, which allowed attendees to create neon sculptures inside VR and export their creations as 3D files. These events and programs demonstrate the ARTSLab’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation in the community.
Future Plans
In the fall of 2026, the ARTSLab will be moving to a new location, the Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology. This new space will double the size of the exhibition space, expand the footprint of the fabrication lab, and increase access to the ARTSLab for non-university users. The new building will also feature a dedicated sound-isolated fabrication lab, which will allow for more efficient and effective use of the lab’s equipment. As Copeland explained, "Right now, (our) 3D printer causes issues because it can be loud, so you can’t run it at the same time. And if you’re printing anything on our big 3D printer, it takes usually about a week at least, to print something on it. And so in the new building, we have a dedicated sound-isolated (fabrication) lab so we can be a much more effective and efficient lab in a new space."
Access and Accessibility
The ARTSLab is committed to making its resources and equipment accessible to students, faculty, and staff. As Copeland noted, "We really take accessibility really seriously, and it can be challenging when you’re coming for students or any researcher who’s working on a new technology. Sometimes you can get a bit anxious about asking too many questions — people get nervous." To access the ARTSLab’s equipment and resources, individuals can simply email the lab to get started. With its cutting-edge technology, innovative programs, and commitment to accessibility, the ARTSLab is an exciting and valuable resource for the University of New Mexico community.