Why?
Have you ever started a project you couldn’t finish? Maybe you didn’t know how to do something. Perhaps you ran out of time. Maybe you were missing the right tool. A draft or implementation just out of reach feels vulnerable to share your effort. So many ideas left collecting dust. So much time, effort, and passion hidden away.
We’ve been there too (at times, I thought this might become one of those projects). We wanted a place where those efforts could be celebrated, not despite their flaws and incompleteness, but because of them. A place where people can connect over the shared challenges of creating. A place where collaboration is at the core and ideas are shared openly. A place where what you’ve started matters more than what you’ve finished.
What?
Yea okay, I’ll admit the “Why” section was a little abstract.
“Put the fries in the bag”
– Likely you
Anyway, the goal:
A collaborative exhibition where students present unfinished or in-progress projects, share their challenges, and request the help they need to finish. During the reception, attendees can network, collaborate, and actively exchange skills, feedback, and ideas.
The event will feature an industry feedback section, professional speakers, a lounge for casual conversation, and activities designed to promote collaboration and connection. Think of it as a blend of a hackathon and an art exhibition, with a touch of conference-like programming. It’s not a competition or a one-way showcase; everyone is both a creator and an audience member. The only way to “win” is to make friends and help one another.
FAQs
What type of projects are displayed?
Anything!
Do I have to submit a project?
Nope! We get how vulnerable it can be to share your work so there is no pressure. We’d still love to see you there! Who knows, maybe seeing others will inspire you to submit something next year!
How is this different than the ATLAS Expo or ENVD Open House?
Great question. Both of these events focus on completed, polished, work that is mostly started and finished in a single semester. The problem is that it’s hard to tackle more ambitious ideas in this time frame. Cutting your project’s scope to meet the time available means lots of good ideas require work outside of the school year. However between school and responsibilities actually finishing these passion projects is very difficult. In Progress Fest is an attempt to highlight and support those projects. While also building a community of collaboration around the shared human experience of trying.
