Eyebeam, established in 1997 by John S. Johnson, operates as a nonprofit studio dedicated to collaborative experimentation with technology to foster a more imaginative and just world. Guided by an open-source ethos, the organization prioritizes openness, invention, and justice, emphasizing technology as a path toward equality and democracy.
Historically, Eyebeam has been pivotal in launching significant projects, including the creation of reBlog, the first online sharing protocol, and Fundrace, pioneering the geocoding of public campaign finance data. Additional groundbreaking developments include OpenFrameworks, a C-based creative coding platform, and the Rap Research Lab by Tahir Hemphill, the first comprehensive rap lyrics database.
With a commitment to amplifying the voices of artists, inventors, designers, and engineers, Eyebeam supports over 125 artists annually through diverse programming. Although Eyebeam has not disclosed recent investments, its role as a cultural catalyst continues to create space for reimagining technology's future.