Conversations@TechSquare: What becomes possible when research is allowed to experiment in cultural spaces?

We’re interested in cultural spaces not just as places to present work, but as environments where ideas can be tested, challenged, and developed through experimentation. What becomes possible when research is allowed to experiment in cultural spaces?

This conversation is an open invitation to Georgia Tech researchers, faculty, students, and staff who are curious about new contexts for research and collaboration. We’re interested in learning where existing research practices feel constrained, what kinds of experimentation do not fit easily within labs or classrooms, and how cultural spaces like Goat Farm and LOOP might support early-stage testing, interdisciplinary exchange, and public-facing inquiry. Our goal is to listen, exchange ideas, and begin identifying shared interests and potential pathways for future collaboration.

Bios:

Mark DiNatale, Programming & Operations Director

Mark DiNatale is an Atlanta-based creative producer and developer who leads venue development, operations, and cultural programming across the Goat Farm ecosystem. His work bridges art, architecture, and infrastructure, focusing on adaptive reuse of industrial spaces into flexible, large-scale venues for performances, exhibitions, and events. He specializes in building durable systems—financial, technical, and operational—that allow ambitious creative projects to function sustainably and at scale.

Allie Bashuk, Aesthetic & Creative Director

Allie Bashuk is Aesthetic & Creative Director at Goat Farm, where she oversees visual identity, design direction, marketing, and curatorial presentation across the campus. Her work spans art direction, branding, and event production, shaping cohesive cultural experiences that support artists and contribute to Atlanta’s arts ecosystem.

Goat Farm:
Goat Farm is a multi-disciplinary Cultural Center in West Midtown Atlanta. One of Atlanta’s largest centers for contemporary and experimental thought, practice, art and performance, its mission is to explore a more responsible approach to development and how property can be used to support art and culture via a self-sustaining built environment. Primarily exploring and supporting inventive and innovative works, Goat Farm is a laboratory where creative risk is nurtured and celebrated. Goat Farm executes this mission through an unconventional social enterprise for-profit arts model. A portion of every dollar collected in rent goes into the Goat Farm Arts Fund (GFAF) which is used to produce and present arts programming.

LOOP:
Powered by Goat Farm, LOOP is a contemporary arts initiative serving as a place to test new ideas and foster experimentation. Anchored by a performance venue and artist studios, it will operate as a dynamic hub for contemporary art, performance, music, and design, fostering work that pushes boundaries and invites cross-disciplinary collaboration.

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Conversations@TechSquare is a dynamic space for new ideas, not an environment for established concepts. We gather creators and innovators from across Georgia Tech, the broader Tech Square community, and beyond, to engage in open dialogue around some of today’s biggest challenges and opportunities. These gatherings are organized and hosted by the Georgia Tech Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) and will occur several times during a semester at the Tech Square Clubhouse. The Clubhouse address is 848 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308 (street level, behind the Centergy One Bldg.).

Tech Square Clubhouse

All conversation gatherings are held in the Tech Square Clubhouse.
The Clubhouse address is 848 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308 < map >
The Tech Square Clubhouse is on the bottom level (street level, behind the Centergy One Bldg.), close to LA Fitness and only a few blocks away from the Midtown and North Ave. MARTA stations. Look closely and you'll see there is an outdoor staircase to the left of the Centergy One Building leading down to the street where you'll find the Tech Square Clubhouse.

PARKING:
Parking is available at the Centergy One parking deck, located right next door. You can also find additional street parking via Park Mobile on Spring and 5th Street. Centergy One parking deck daily rates: Half Hour: $3.00 | One Hour: $6.00 | Two Hours: $12.00 | Daily Max: $20.00

GT CAMPUS BUS: Take the Gold route bus which stops at Tech Square.

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Summary

How cultural spaces like Goat Farm and LOOP might support early-stage testing, interdisciplinary exchange, and public-facing inquiry?

Details

Tuesday

Jan 27 2026

03:30pm - 05:00pm

Location: The Clubhouse at TechSquare

In campus calendar: Yes

Sidebar Content

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Groups

IPaT

Status

Workflow status: Published
Created by: Walter Rich
Created: 01/11/2026
Modified By: Walter Rich
Modified: 01/11/2026

Mercury (Hg)