Voices of VR #1700: Update on Co-Creating XR Distribution Field Initiative & Toolkits from MIT Open DocLab
Dec 7, 2025
Join Sarah Wolozin, Scarlett Kim, and Julia Scott-Stevenson as they dive into the exciting world of XR distribution. Wolozin, a pioneer in documentary storytelling, highlights the urgency of addressing access issues in the XR landscape. Kim shares insights on nurturing independent artists while building networks with cultural institutions. Scott-Stevenson explains innovative toolkits to help artists navigate distribution challenges. Together, they envision a more accessible and vibrant future for immersive media, all while avoiding the pitfalls of big-tech dependency.
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Distribution Is The Field's Bottleneck
- MIT Open DocLab identified distribution and exhibition as a core bottleneck for XR moving beyond festivals.
- They frame the problem as access to audiences, venues, and shared knowledge rather than purely technical issues.
Theatre Roots Shaped An XR Path
- Scarlett Kim described migrating from theatre to immersive media and building transmedia departments.
- She uses ritual, game, XR, and theatre techniques to champion artist mobility and experimental/pop crossover.
Design Distribution From Day One
- Use pipelines and toolkits to map the practical journeys an artist can take from creation to audience.
- Ask concrete questions during development so your project matches venues and touring possibilities.