New Media Futures: The Rise of Women in the Digital Arts

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Trailblazing women in digital arts media and education established the Midwest as a hub for artistic and digital innovation from the 1980s onward. Key events at institutions like the University of Illinois and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago fostered a community-driven environment that encouraged creative expression and interdisciplinary collaboration across gender lines, integrating artistically informed approaches into advanced research. Through a blend of historical research, interviews, and vibrant illustrations, this work highlights the contributions of twenty-two women engaged in diverse emergent media, including digital games, virtual reality, and browser-based art. The editors and contributors amplify the voices of these creators, emphasizing their roles in shaping new media that drive social change and artistic exploration. The narrative reveals how these Midwestern initiatives in digital arts cultivated a network of intriguing relationships, ultimately contributing to the rise of the digital age and social media. Notable contributors include Carolina Cruz-Niera, Colleen Bushell, and Brenda Laurel, among others, whose collective efforts underscore the significance of women in the evolution of digital arts.