Forget Hollywood: Atlanta is carving out its own space on the creative US map. With a unique blend of tech innovation, artistic talent, and cultural energy, the city is buzzing with new ways to tell stories and push the boundaries of media.
This article takes you on a tour of Atlanta’s vibrant new media scene. We’ll explore the key players, from game-changing schools to futuristic VR venues, and show how this southern city is quickly becoming a go-to destination for artists, technologists, and dreamers alike
Digital Education in Atlanta: Discover Three Institutions Designing the Future of the Arts
Georgia Tech, a top public research university founded in 1885, ranks just behind MIT and Stanford and holds the first spot among public tech schools in the U.S. With a campus in Metz (France), it brings a global reach to cutting-edge education.
The new Tech Art Georgia department explores the intersection of technology and artistic expression, with exhibitions, performances, and artist residencies that blend disciplines.
Through the Interdisciplinary Media Arts Center, Georgia Tech supports artists working with emerging tech. One recent resident, Dr. Bojana Ginn, is known for combining sculpture and biology in her work, collaborating with institutions like NASA and earning global acclaim.
AI also plays a key role in the creative investigations of two researchers in particular: Professor Gil Weinberg explores AI and robotics in music, notably through his “Robotic Musicianship” project and Dr. Brian Magerko, founder of the Expressive Machinery Lab, focuses on human-AI interaction in creative contexts like improvisational theatre and generative art installation.
SCAD – Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD is a private university specializing in art, design, and creative technologies, with campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, and Lacoste (France). It integrates new media, VR, AI, and immersive environments into its innovative programs.
To know more about SCAD discover SCADstory, a 4D immersive experience showcasing the school’s legacy through projections, animation, and sensory design.
French Immersive Creations Exhibited in the Fulton Public Libraries of Atlanta
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Fulton Public Library – French VR for All
The French Immersion Exhibition is an initiative led by Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, in collaboration with Fulton County Arts & Culture and French distributor Diversion Cinema, brought French immersive VR artworks to U.S. venues through innovative partnerships with local institutions.
A highlight of the project took place across 12 branches of the Fulton County Library System, offering residents the chance to experience four acclaimed French VR films: The Real Thing (urban transformation), -22.7°C (a journey into polar soundscapes), Dreamin’Zone (a poetic reflection on war and memory), and Bloom (on climate change and renewal). The screenings reached over 1,000 people, providing free access to Meta Quest 2 headsets and immersive experiences available in both English and French.
More than just a screening event, Immersive Horizons included educational materials, guided discussions, and book displays to encourage deeper engagement with themes like climate justice, gender equality, war, and urbanism. These resources helped spark meaningful community conversations around the issues portrayed in the films.
This initiative also marked a key milestone for the Public Art Futures Lab, which uses VR and emerging media as civic tools to foster creativity, equity, and public dialogue. By using local libraries as a platform for global storytelling, the program reimagines how immersive technology can be made truly inclusive and accessible.
Where to Find Immersive Art in Atlanta?
School of Computational Science and Engineering
The Goat Farm Arts Center
Housed in a former 19th-century industrial complex, the Goat Farm Arts Center is a 12-acre creative campus in Atlanta dedicated to experimental and interdisciplinary art.
It features studios, performance venues, and immersive installations, blending historical architecture with cutting-edge innovation. The venue also hosts the Meaning Machine, an AI-powered gallery assistant that explains artworks and encourages public engagement, redefining the traditional gallery experience.
Emory University – Science Gallery Atlanta
Linked to Emory University, Science Gallery Atlanta merges art, science, and technology to create interactive experiences for young audiences (ages 15–30). It addresses contemporary themes through thought-provoking exhibitions that turn scientific topics into immersive, sensory encounters.
With a strong focus on artistic projects, SGA transforms research into public engagement, making it a space where art drives innovation and social dialogue.
Eclipso Atlanta – History Comes Alive in VR
Eclipso Atlanta offers 45-minute, free-roaming VR experiences combining culture, history, and cutting-edge technology.
Time travel with Eclipso in the immersive exhibition Tonight with the Impressionists, co-produced by French studio Gédéon and first exhibited at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
This immersive journey lets visitors meet the legendary artists who revolutionized art 150 years ago. With lifelike visuals and storytelling, Eclipso brings history to life through immersive tech.
Coda Tech Square
Located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, Coda (School of Computational Science and Engineering) Tech Square is a dynamic hub where academic research, entrepreneurship, and corporate innovation converge. Coda’s iconic “data-driven” design includes high-performance computing space, open collaboration zones, and public gathering areas, all designed to accelerate innovation. With its fusion of academia and industry, Coda Tech Square exemplifies Atlanta’s future-focused tech ecosystem.
Atlanta’s Esports Rise
by Beth McKibben
Atlanta: A Rising Esports Hub in the U.S.
Atlanta is emerging as a major e-sports hub, powered by strong collaboration between companies, institutions, and student communities. The Atlanta Esports Alliance plays a key role in promoting esports across Georgia.
Industry leaders like Resurgens Gaming and its Skillshot Studio host large-scale events uniting players, developers, and fans.
Atlanta Esports Ventures supports the ecosystem by investing in pro-teams and gaming infrastructure. Student clubs at Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, especially through the Creative Media Industries Institute, actively drive this momentum.
CMII – Creative Media Industries Institute
Part of Georgia State University, CMII is an innovation hub focused on creative media and entertainment industries.
It offers programs in game design, video game development, and media entrepreneurship. CMII stands out for its strong involvement in esports, ranking among the top 10 collegiate programs in 2022. Its dedicated esports lab features high-end gaming setups to support student training and skill development.
Todd Harris
Todd Harris is a key figure in the video game and esports world. He co-founded Hi-Rez Studios (Smite, Paladins) and is CEO of Resurgens Gaming. He leads Skillshot Media and Ghost Gaming—two major players in Atlanta’s esports ecosystem. Deeply invested in learning through gaming, he also chairs the NASEF and USEF federations. His work bridges innovation, competition, and social impact in the digital sphere.
The City of Atlanta, a pioneer in immersive creation, technology, and video games in the state of Georgia, continues to offer residents and visitors educational, exhibition, and collaborative creation programs. Fulton Public Libraries embody this commitment to making new technologies accessible to all, opening doors to alternative realities.
