In an exciting development that promises to transform the relationship between creativity and technology, the Doris Duke Foundation and Mozilla Foundation have announced a groundbreaking $6.5 million commitment to place performing artists at the forefront of technological innovation.

The new "Artists Make Technology" (AMT) initiative marks a historic shift in how the arts and tech sectors collaborate. Rather than artists simply responding to technological changes that affect their work, they'll now have the opportunity to actively shape the tools and platforms that define our digital future.

"Artists Make Technology hopes to build a future where performing artists are not just responding to technological change, but actively shaping the tools, policies, and cultural frameworks that define our ever-changing digital era," said Ashley Ferro-Murray, PhD, program director for the arts at the Doris Duke Foundation. The initiative recognizes that artists bring invaluable creative and embodied insights that technology companies have traditionally missed out on.

The program is thoughtfully structured around three interconnected pillars designed to create lasting change. The first pillar provides direct artist support, including up to 40 grants and hands-on technical assistance for performing artists and technologists. This funding will fuel creative experiments and applied research, allowing artistic vision to flourish alongside technological development.

The second pillar focuses on infrastructure building through AMT Pathways, a $4 million commitment that connects artists with Mozilla engineers. This collaboration ensures that creators have the legal, technical, and institutional knowledge needed to work confidently with technology and embed their creativity into its development. These bespoke, project-specific pathways will include opportunities like the Responsible Computing Challenge and Mozilla Common Voice.

The third pillar supports knowledge building through AMT Assemblies, bringing together artists, technologists, and funders to develop shared values and frameworks. This collaborative approach strengthens the field's collective capacity to guide technology toward serving the public interest.

"Mozilla Foundation's work at the intersection of creativity and technology has shown us that artists want technology to expand their imagination, not replace it," said Nabiha Syed, Executive Director of Mozilla Foundation. Her words capture the essence of this initiative: technology should enhance human creativity, not diminish it.

Sam Gill, president and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation, emphasized the urgency of including artists in technological advancement. "We're determined to use technology to deepen, not flatten, culture," he said, highlighting how this initiative will help both artists and technologists understand that they can actively shape technology's future together.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and The Ford Foundation have also committed to this vision, with the coalition seeking additional partnerships toward an $11 million three-year goal. Applications for the first round of grants open February 2, 2026, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative movement.

This initiative creates a replicable model for artist-led technological development, addressing long-standing barriers and ensuring that the creative voices shaping our culture also shape the digital tools we use. It's an inspiring reminder that when diverse perspectives come together, innovation flourishes in ways that benefit everyone.