I missed the recent orientation meeting for the new students here at the Lab. Apparently there was concern regarding the role of "art" here at the Media Lab. It is quite often the case for students with strong academic backgrounds to want to politely ask the question, "Is it ... okay ... to make art at the Lab?" the answer is really quite simple. The question shouldn't even be asked. Students should instead demand to make art -- without concern for what the management might say. Art does not need permission to be made.
After all, if it were instead absolutely mandatory for all students to make art ... what would be the point of it all really?
Signed,
The Management