UNM ARTSLab Launches Programs to Expand Immersive Technology Access and Education

The University of New Mexico’s ARTSLab has initiated programs designed to enhance access to immersive technology and education throughout the state. These efforts are supported by congressionally directed funds from NASA.\n\n### Community Immersive Technology Hub (CITH)\nThe cost and complexity associated with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) hardware and software have presented challenges for many New Mexico residents in accessing these immersive technologies. In response, ARTSLab established the Community Immersive Technology Hub (CITH) in the fall of 2024. The CITH aims to broaden community access to these technologies.\n\nStewart Copeland, ARTSLab Director, observed that VR headsets at universities often become confined to specific departments due to management requirements. The ARTSLab's focus has been on acquiring equipment and developing methods for researchers and students to access it.\n\n### Neon Forge VR Experience\nAs part of these initiatives, graduate student Ella Pigg and undergraduate student Finn Ellis developed Neon Forge, a virtual reality experience for the Bands of Enchantment Music Festival. Inspired by the neon sign aesthetic of Route 66, Neon Forge connected with the city's cultural identity while providing an interactive experience. Festival attendees could create virtual neon signs and sculptures using various colors and animation sequences. Participants had the option to email their designs as a GIF or 3D file. Pigg stated that a project goal was to create a game scalable for users with differing levels of VR experience. During the festival, the Neon Forge experience recorded a 45-minute wait time, indicating public interest in the technology.\n\n### Educator Training and Workshops\nIn the summer of 2025, UNM collaborated with Unity, a development platform, to offer the Unity Educator Upskilling Workshop. This program provided free Unity Associate Game Developer training to New Mexico-based educators. The 13-week virtual workshop covered fundamental Unity skills, game design, programming, and 2D/3D modeling. Fifteen educators from UNM, Central New Mexico College, Albuquerque Public Schools, and Explora participated.\n\nUnity and ARTSLab also provided online courses and webinars led by Unity Certified Professionals, offering overviews of Unity applications across various disciplines. CITH is additionally hosting workshops developed by community educators, artists, and technologists from across the state, making them publicly available online. The objective is to highlight real-world applications of immersive technology and make these tools accessible to learners from diverse backgrounds. Copeland noted that an artistic perspective on immersive technology may lead to different applications compared to computer science or gaming approaches.\n\n### XR Archive Project\nMuseum studies graduate student Prescott Moore joined the team to contribute to the XR Archive project. This initiative enables the use of games for research. Copeland explained that to increase general literacy in AR/VR, an accessible archive of games for research is needed, as typically only video documentation of projects is available rather than playable experiences.\n\n### Progress and Future\nThe CITH is in its early stages of operation and has reported initial successes. The team attributes these early achievements to pursuing projects aligned with their interests.