The Art-Tech Nexus — glass datacenter, collaborative AI art review, and screen printing production in one connected japandi-industrial space

FXI Studio · Newark, NJ · Est. 2024

The Art-Tech
Nexus.

Fueled by Imagination provides the professional infrastructure — from fiscal sponsorship and contract management to legal and financial backing — that allows Newark's creative professionals to focus on their craft without the bureaucratic overhead. The Art-Tech Nexus is the physical extension of that commitment.

Rooted in Newark's innovation district, the Nexus serves as a technology-driven storytelling hub where enterprise AI compute, cinematic production, and fine-arts screen printing converge under one roof. By hosting intergenerational STEM programming and creating USDOL registered apprenticeship pathways in high-growth sectors, we are building a sustainable creative workforce and investing directly in the future of Newark's next generation of storytellers.

Information Technology / CybersecurityAdvanced ManufacturingSTEM-Related OccupationsDigital Media & Creative Technology
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Community ProgramsPartner With Us

The Vision

Three Pillars, One Mission.

The nexus of AI, Art, and Newark Community — a sunlight-rich industrial retrofit designed to bridge enterprise technology and fine-arts tradition while creating career-track employment.

AI Infrastructure

Enterprise Compute

A glass-enclosed, STC-rated data center with enterprise-grade GPU accelerators, liquid cooling, and 100Gbps fiber — providing Compute-as-a-Service to Newark startups and powering on-site AI training for apprentices.

Fine Arts

Physical Art Studio

A professional screen-printing production facility with closed-loop cooling, washout booth with industrial ink trap, and water-based pigments — bridging digital AI output to physical fine-art prints.

Community

Intergenerational Hub

A living laboratory where Newark youth (Gr 9–12) and seniors (65+) collaborate through the “Code to Canvas” residency — STEM education aligned with NJSLS-CS 8.1/8.2 and NCCA Creative Aging frameworks.

Who We Are

Built for This Work.

Fueled by Imagination, LLC specializes in high-impact motion picture, video production, and visual effects (VFX) — bridging creative artistry with technical STEM proficiency. Deeply rooted in Newark's innovation district, we are scaling operations to provide residents with pathways into the creative economy.

Strategic Partnership

Audible Business Attraction Program

FXI is a primary participant in the Audible Business Attraction Program — a strategic initiative anchoring high-growth, tech-driven companies in Newark's innovation district. This partnership provides the critical infrastructure and physical footprint required to scale our specialized training capacity and house the Art-Tech Nexus facility.

Core Competencies

Creative Production & Media Technology

Full-scale cinematic production, post-production, VFX, and digital media strategy. Our industry partnerships with local production vendors, post-production houses, and creative agencies ensure apprentices engage with real-world project pipelines using industry-standard equipment — 4K/6K camera systems, professional lighting, and high-end VFX/editing suites.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor

Seeking USDOL-approved Sponsor status for Registered Apprenticeships, creating a sustainable talent pipeline that strengthens New Jersey’s creative and technology sectors.

Newark Innovation District

Located in downtown Newark with deep ties to the local creative community, aligning with the city’s urban revitalization and ensuring training is accessible, equitable, and linked to economic growth.

Industry-Standard Training

Apprentices receive hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment and digital workflows, preparing them for high-wage careers in media technology, IT infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

By the Numbers.

10+

Jobs Created

Registered apprenticeships

20+

STEM Seats

Per cohort cycle

12-wk

Residency

“Code to Canvas” program

100G

Fiber

Enterprise connectivity

6,000

OJT Hours

Across 3 apprentice roles

432

RTI Hours

Related technical instruction

USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Program

Workforce Development.

FXI is building USDOL-registered apprenticeship programs in GAINS priority sectors — Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and STEM — creating structured career pathways with progressive wage increases, on-the-job training, and related technical instruction delivered in partnership with Regional Institutional Partner (pending).

Program Model

Competency-Based Apprenticeship

2,000 OJT hours + 144 RTI hours per role, progressive wage scale, employer-sponsored with GAINS offset eligibility

RTI Partner

Regional Institutional Partner (pending)

Related Technical Instruction delivered by partner institution faculty, supplementing daily on-the-job training at the Nexus facility

GAINS Target Sectors

Information Technology / CybersecurityAdvanced ManufacturingSTEM-Related OccupationsDigital Media & Creative Technology
GAINS ApprenticeshipO*NET 15-1244.00

AI Systems Administrator

Sector: Information Technology

2,000

OJT Hours

144

RTI Hours

Enterprise GPU thermal management, liquid-cooling loop maintenance, Linux systems administration, network infrastructure, and data center operations.

Core Competencies

  • GPU rack installation & cable management
  • Liquid-cooling system monitoring & maintenance
  • Linux server administration (Ubuntu/RHEL)
  • Network configuration & 100G fiber termination
  • Environmental monitoring (AVTECH) & alert response
  • UPS & power distribution management
  • Security protocols & biometric access systems

Wage Progression & Milestones

1

Months 1–3

$18/hr

Orientation & safety certification

2

Months 4–6

$20/hr

Independent monitoring shifts

3

Months 7–9

$22/hr

Cooling system lead

4

Months 10–12

$24/hr

Full DC operations certification

GAINS ApprenticeshipO*NET 51-5112.00

Digital-to-Print Production Lead

Sector: Advanced Manufacturing

2,000

OJT Hours

144

RTI Hours

AI-to-screen-printing production pipeline: generative AI output processing, RIP software workflows, color separation, film positive production, and fine-art print manufacturing.

Core Competencies

  • AI image generation & prompt engineering for print
  • Color management & ICC profile calibration
  • RIP software operation & film positive output
  • Screen exposure, registration & multi-color setup
  • Water-based ink mixing & Pantone matching
  • Washout booth operation & ink trap maintenance
  • Print quality inspection & edition management

Wage Progression & Milestones

1

Months 1–3

$18/hr

Studio safety & equipment cert

2

Months 4–6

$20/hr

Solo production runs

3

Months 7–9

$22/hr

Multi-color edition lead

4

Months 10–12

$24/hr

Full pipeline certification

GAINS ApprenticeshipO*NET 15-1232.00

Community IT Liaison

Sector: STEM / Community Technology

2,000

OJT Hours

144

RTI Hours

Hardware/software support for STEM and elderly programs, public-facing technology support, workshop facilitation, and community outreach coordination.

Core Competencies

  • Workstation setup, imaging & maintenance
  • STEM lab network & peripheral management
  • Workshop curriculum delivery (AI & print)
  • Elderly tech support & accessibility configuration
  • Community intake & program enrollment systems
  • Event AV setup & livestream production
  • Digital literacy instruction & troubleshooting

Wage Progression & Milestones

1

Months 1–3

$18/hr

Onboarding & shadow period

2

Months 4–6

$20/hr

Independent program support

3

Months 7–9

$22/hr

Workshop facilitation lead

4

Months 10–12

$24/hr

Community liaison certification

Fine art screen printing studio — young woman pulls vibrant AI-generated prints while mentor inspects finished work, japandi-industrial space

The Facility

Sunlight-Rich Industrial Retrofit.

The Art-Tech Nexus transforms vacant industrial space in Newark's innovation district into a 24/7 creative and technology hub. Purpose-built zones support simultaneous data center operations, fine-arts production, STEM education, and community programming — with complete zone separation between compute and art environments.

Glass Data Center

STC-rated enclosure, liquid cooling, dedicated 240V/100A power, FM-200 fire suppression

Physical Art Studio

Screen-printing production, washout booth with ink trap, water-based pigments, exhaust ventilation

STEM Lab & Gallery

20+ fiber-connected workstations, classroom space, public exhibition gallery

14ft Transit Garage

ADA-compliant bus bay (6 stalls), Level 2 EV charging, climate vestibule

IT Operations Office

Monitoring stations, conference room, apprentice workspace

Sunlight-Rich Learning

Floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed timber ceilings, natural light throughout

Environmental Commitment

Zero Waste to Water.

Our screen-printing studio uses exclusively water-based pigments with industrial washout through a sediment trap and ink filtration system — 99% particulate capture ensures zero ink waste enters Newark's water supply.

100%

Water-Based Pigments

99%

Particulate Capture

Zero

Ink to Waterways

FM-200

Clean-Agent Suppression

Safety & Compliance

Enterprise-Grade Safety.

OverheatLiquid cooling + AVTECH 85°F auto-shutdown
FireFM-200 clean-agent, NFPA 2001 compliant
WaterInk trap + water-based pigments only
Power240V/100A dedicated + UPS backup
SecurityBiometric access + camera monitoring
Transit14ft ADA garage + EV infrastructure
Code to Canvas workshop — intergenerational group reviews AI-generated images, film positives, and finished canvas prints showing the full pipeline

Flagship Community Program

“Code to Canvas”

A 12-week intergenerational residency for Newark youth (Grades 9–12) and seniors (65+) — bridging enterprise AI and fine-arts production. 20+ STEM seats per cohort cycle.

NJSLS-CS 8.1 — Algorithmic ThinkingNJSLS-CS 8.2 — Technology LiteracyNCCA Creative Aging FrameworkNJ A4352 — Arts IntegrationCareer Readiness Practices
01

Digital Engine

Weeks 1–4

NJSLS-CS 8.1 — Algorithmic Thinking

  • Data center tour & GPU orientation
  • Prompt engineering workshop
  • AI ethics & responsible use
  • LoRA model management & fine-tuning
02

Physical Transfer

Weeks 5–8

NJ A4352 — Arts Integration

  • Film positives from AI output
  • Ink chemistry & color theory
  • Darkroom & washout technique
  • First print production run
03

Exhibition

Weeks 9–12

Career Readiness Practices

  • Quality control & curation
  • Digital asset management
  • Professional framing & presentation
  • Public showcase event

Each cohort culminates in a public showcase event where participants exhibit AI-generated, hand-printed artwork — demonstrating the full pipeline from prompt to physical print. Apprentices serve as workshop facilitators and technical mentors throughout the residency.

Datacenter apprenticeship training — instructor guides apprentices through GPU server management with monitoring dashboards, art prints visible through glass wall

Academic Partnership

Institutional Partnership.

Related Technical Instruction (RTI) for all three apprenticeship tracks is delivered in partnership with regional institutional partners — ensuring apprentices receive accredited, industry-aligned technical education alongside daily on-the-job training.

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

2,000 hours per apprentice at the Art-Tech Nexus facility. Hands-on work in data center operations, screen-printing production, or community IT support — supervised by FXI journeyworkers with direct mentorship and progressive responsibility.

FXI

Fueled by Imagination, LLC

Employer Sponsor

Related Technical Instruction (RTI)

144 hours per apprentice delivered by partner institution faculty. Covers theoretical foundations, industry certifications, and specialized technical coursework aligned to each apprenticeship track's competency framework.

RTI

Regional Institutional Partner (pending)

RTI Provider

Join Us

Partner in Newark's
Tech Future.

Not just a data center. Not just an art studio. A Compute & Community Nexus — where enterprise AI fuels Newark's next generation. We're seeking community partners, educators, workforce development organizations, and employers who share our vision for career-track technology employment in Newark.

Contact Us
Learn About FXI

The Art-Tech Nexus is a project of Fueled by Imagination, LLC, providing professional infrastructure for Newark's creative economy.