A+E Lab is an art and technology hub at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, operated by AE Creative Hub CIC in partnership with the University of Kent's Institute for Cultural and Creative Industries. We offer high-quality creative technology activities to the Medway community, support emerging artists, and connect local, national and international practitioners in a shared space for experimentation and collaboration. This financial year (July 2024 - June 2025), our activities spanned community engagement, artist development and international touring. International touring: Three productions (0AR, LILITH.AEON, LILITH AI Lecture Performance) toured across 10+ countries including France, Germany, Japan, USA, Austria, Slovakia and Hong Kong. LILITH.AEON engaged 277 audience members at its French premiere in Mulhouse, in partnership with La Filature National Theatre, and received critical coverage in The Guardian and The Stage. The LILITH AI Lecture Performance, a live theatre work retracing the making of LILITH.AEON, premiered at SXSW in Austin. We also presented at tanzmesse (Germany) and CINARS (Canada), securing bookings at 6 international venues including the prestigious Biennale Nemo, Paris. Community engagement: Supported by Medway Council's Shared Prosperity Fund, our Art & Tech workshops in AI, VR, Dance and Batik reached 278 children and young people across Medway schools, from KS3 to higher education. Free VR Dance workshops engaged 70 participants with a focus on marginalised groups, delivered through Medway Libraries and local schools. We formed a new partnership with Luton Primary School, offering bi-weekly creative workshops over six weeks both in school and at A+E Lab, building lasting relationships with teachers, children and the wider school community. Digital Artists in Residence: We supported two emerging artists: David Adeyemi, a creative technologist from Sittingbourne, and Camille Dunlop, a digital and spatial designer from London. Both completed first phases of new work that responded to Medway's history and communities, and shared it through public events and school workshops. Both artists are now connected to local organisations LV21 and Electric Medway, creating a lasting legacy beyond the residency. Choreographic Coding Lab (CCL): Our second international CCL brought together 9 creative coders and 3 expert facilitators from 6 countries, including the USA, Germany, Switzerland and Estonia, to explore AI and dance over one week. Final work was shared publicly and with Luton Primary School. XR Sunday Social: A sold-out public event connecting artists, technologists and community audiences around immersive technology, featuring installations, talks and networking. Over 80% of participants reported learning new technology skills and finding our activities accessible and engaging.

Freelance producers and artists are our key stakeholders. We have regular meetings to discuss priority tasks, workload and any concerns. We try to create an open and friendly environment for people to feel safe to speak. We also receive business development support and workshops which offer our core team to upskill their knowledge. We have advisory group meetings 4 times a year with a separate one to one meetings with individuals. Advisory group are consisting of the professionals from theatre and technology at senior management positions. They also act as mentor for directors and team. Organisations who are supporting our building are also our main stakeholders. We have regular meetings and keep good communication for all the matters related to the building and visitors coming to our building as well as our activities in the building. They also are guiding us to succeed in our new venture from operational point of view. Schools network, local authority, public funders, venues are our stake holders for our activities. We holds consultation meetings regularly and understand the needs of each organisations and explore the best way to work together. Other stakeholders includes community groups, technologists, cultural groups and public members. We consult everyone who joined our activities to give us their feedback via survey and individual in-person conversations. These feedbacks has been analysed, shared within our team and taken into account to improve our activities and operation.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration