Material Institute is a new space for design and manufacture of garments, textiles and fashion, with a focus on learning through hands on experimentation. It opened with a pilot in November 2018, carrying through to summer 2019.
The goal of the Institute is to provide space, tools and professional guidance to those who would not have access to these opportunities otherwise - communities for whom affordable enriching education has been lacking. Material Institute is a place where students are able to express themselves in a creative and professional way, and supported to gain financial independence through their craft. Priority is given to locals, those who will benefit most, people aged 14-30, with exceptions. The space is founded on the belief in the value of free high quality education for all; and the learning environment as a community and place for experimentation and expression. Material Institute grows out of the incredible, inique and diverse heritage of craft, costuming and fashions of New Orleans, as well as progressive educational models such as Black Mountain College.
The tools include industrial sewing machines, a large dye sublimation printer and heat press, weaving loom, natural dye facilities, as well as many more hand tools and materials.
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) invited Assemble art and architecture collective to design the project. Assemble has since created the workshop spaces, run and curated the pilot phase of the educational program, collaborating with experts in the fashion industry including: Big Chief Demond Melancon, Carola Jones, Faustine Steinmetz, Kenneth Ize, Kristine Pichon, Kai Bussant, Briana Henry, Norma Hedrick. The school is funded and has been initiated by MONA.
Assemble and MONA are now looking for a New Orleans based director for the fashion department. In the meantime we are running another 10 week program April-June 2019; a form of summer school; with the ambition of starting a full year program in September 2019.
