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LASER Guidelines

Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous (LASER)

Host Guidelines

The Leonardo/ISAST LASERs are a program of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists and technologists together for informal presentations, performances and conversations with the wider public. The mission of the LASERs is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building.

Structure

  • LASER events have a standard basic structure: At least two contributors (e.g., presenters, performers, artists, inventors, etc.) with time designated for community building and socializing.

  • It is essential that LASER events stimulate interactions between the arts, sciences, technology and humanities by including presentations from a variety of disciplinary and artistic perspectives. However, individual presentations at a LASER need not be trans/cross-disciplinary.

  • A diversity of cultural perspectives is encouraged (e.g. gender, ethnicity, language, underrepresented voices, emerging artists and scientists, etc.).

  • LASER events are to be produced on a regular basis – monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly, rather than sporadically. 

  • Optimally, LASERs are free and open to the public. LASER hosts, in consultation with the Leonardo LASER committee, may potentially be granted permission to solicit donations for their LASER events. 

  • In the interest of continuity and whenever possible, LASERs are to be hosted by a local institutional sponsoring organization (exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Branding

  • The opening remarks for each gathering are required to include a brief introduction/acknowledgment of Leonardo/ISAST. A screen projection showing the Leonardo LASER URL and #LASER Talks during opening remarks is requested if possible. A PowerPoint for this introduction is provided to LASER Hosts in the Starter Pack.

  • When the name LASER is used, LASER is to be identified as a program of Leonardo/ISAST.  Promotional materials, signage, hand-outs, etc. are required to be clearly branded with the text: "LASER is a program of Leonardo/ISAST." 

  • Any online materials associated with a LASER need to include the Leonardo logo as a hyperlink to the Leonardo website leonardo.info/laser-talks, #LASER Talks and reference LASER Social Media, this is an addition to the hosts own social media channels and branding

  • LASERS are named according to cities or regions in which they reside in order to be inclusive of external or unfamiliar communities I.e. LASER City. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. 

Promotion, Documentation and Reporting

  • All LASERs and LASER hosts benefit from association with, and promotion by, Leonardo/ISAST. To facilitate Leonardo/ISASTs active role in promoting all LASERs hosts have to provide Leonardo with their promotional information at least 2 weeks prior to their LASER events. 

  • The Leonardo main office if requested by the LASER host will provide Leonardo/ISAST promotional hand-outs.

  • If possible, live streaming, photography and video recording of LASERs are encouraged.

Other

  • Leonardo/ISAST and the LASER Committee facilitate and support networking and interaction between global LASER Hosts. All LASER hosts are strongly encouraged to periodically engage with this network of international LASER hosts via Leonardo/ISAST organized on-line and/or on-site meetings.

  • Leonardo/ISAST Provides a LASER Host Starter Pack including templates, branded signage, personalized logos, global maps and visibility of the LASER Hosts. Onboarding and launch support from staff, event management platform (LASER Host Portal), and access to community social media channels with LASER Talks. Leonardo provides on-going promotional support of LASER Talks, management of LASER Host Google Group, virtual recording platform (i.e. Zoom), facilitation of LASER Gatherings, community events, maintenance, and management of LASER Platform. 

  • LASERs/LASER hosts that are non-active or fail to communicate with Leonardo/ISAST about their events could relinquish the right to use the LASER name and their association with Leonardo/ISAST.

Groups or individuals interested in starting a regional LASER series should submit an application and letter of support to Leonardo/ISAST. For questions on these guidelines please contact christiana@leonardo.info . 

Updated Summer 2020