Throughout the month of April, we were busy getting ready for lots of exciting Initiative-related events. Take a look below and see what strikes your fancy. We hope that you can join us!

#NOWSEETHIS party, May 9

Last call for party tickets. It’s now or never, folks. #NOWSEETHIS is going to be an amazing night of new music and never-before-seen new media art. And when I say new media, I mean it. Ever heard of augmented reality tattoos? Or a Crash Kiss photobooth? How about custom-created video projections by Pussykrew, the international duo most recently installed as artists-in-residence at CMU’s STUDIO for Creative Inquiry? See them all at the museum, one night only, on May 9. While you’re there, you’ll probably also be interested in the amazing slate of featured music performers, beginning with Juliana Huxtable—one of the stars of The New Museum’s Triennial—to be followed by the amazing one-man-show known as Dinner, and headlined by the fabulous Kelela. Don’t forget your party shoes!

A People’s History of Pittsburgh book launch, May 9

Packed full of YOUR submissions to our year-long digital archive project, A People’s History of Pittsburgh launches in book form at #NOWSEETHIS on May 9. Designed by our Sandbox artists-in-residence Melissa Catanese and Ed Panar, this photobook masterfully weaves together some of your most cherished photographs to tell a beautiful visual story of Pittsburgh and the people who call it home. Check out this interview with the artists in Photo District News and join us for the launch.

F295 Symposium, May 28–31

Every year, the F295 symposium brings together artists from around the world who incorporate, explore, and specialize in 19th century photography techniques. Since 2004, Tom Persinger has been providing a forum for these practitioners to share, teach, and learn from each other. Open to the public, the symposium offers panels, workshops, and some fascinating keynote speakers. In the spirit of continued explorations into the field of photography, the Initiative will be partnering to present two episodes of The Invisible Photograph series—Underground and Subatomic—and lead a Q&A session on Friday evening, May 29, from 7–8pm (location TBD). Join us if you can.

The CREate Festival, June 10–12

The first ever CREate festival is happening in Pittsburgh this summer. It celebrates collisions of art and technology, bringing together innovators and creatives from around the country. Held at the Wyndham Hotel across from Point State Park from June 10–12, it is scheduled to coincide (dare I say dovetail beautifully?) with the Three Rivers Arts Festival. Join the Pittsburgh Technology Council for an exciting array of workshops and panels, meet local artists, and wander through the Innovation Salon to learn more about the country’s best experiments in art and technology. While you’re there, make sure to join Carnegie Museum of Art for an Interactive Session featuring screenings of all five episodes of The Invisible Photograph.

Cycle Two of the Hillman Photography Initiative, coming soon!

With the eagerly anticipated arrival of Dan Leers, CMOA’s new curator of photography and internal Agent for the Initiative, we are ready to dive into Cycle Two. Planning is scheduled to begin in the spring and summer and last into the fall. Stay tuned for ongoing updates as the process unfolds and join us in looking forward to our next round of programming, slated to begin in 2016.