ANAT (Australian Network for Art and Technology) is a not for profit organisation based in Adelaide, South Australia and was formed as an Incorporated Association in 1988. Membership of ANAT is open to anyone with an interest in art, science and technology.
ANAT creates connections and collaborations across art, culture, science and technology. It is Australia's peak network and advocacy body for artists working with science and technology, creating opportunities for innovation, research and development both nationally and internationally. ANAT supports emerging and established artists in the fields of new media arts, internet, video, sound and performance to develop new work and create national and international networks. ANAT also provides financial support to artists through the quick response Conference and Workshop Fund. ANAT collaborates with a range of science, industry and arts partners within Australia and overseas to initiate innovative opportunities such as residencies, databases, Masterclasses and Summer Schools.Through avenues such as forums, artist talks and Newsletter, ANAT fosters critical debate on the synthesis between art, culture, science and technology.
The vision of its director is "not to build edifices to new media art practice - but rather in building mechanisms, where new media art practice is included in exhibition, performance, literature based practices." ANAT has organized its flagship summer school around scientific topics of growing critical concern to artists, like biotechnology and artificial life. From this intensive several week session were born several projects by artists which now continue in scientific labs. Financial support for this subsequent phase, now taking place, comes from public sources concerned with the promotion of science awareness.