The TechSoup community represents the immense breadth of civil society, including thousands of arts organizations dedicated to sparking our collective imagination. These nonprofits challenge us to think critically about beauty and form, ultimately championing cultural values that help to define our society.
And yes, technology plays an important role here too!
Five Ton Crane (5TC) is a San Francisco-based arts collective and TechSoup member that proves "many hands make light work"—especially when that work involves multi-ton sculptures. From the iconic Raygun Gothic Rocketship to the Capitol Theater, 5TC specializes in "heavy lifting" projects that no individual artist could complete alone. They pool resources, talent, and technology to create massive, immersive public art.
But designing and building these kinds of pieces requires real physics, math and engineering skills. The bridge between a small-scale sketch and a massive public installation is design software and AutoDesk tools in particular are well-known in the arts community.
“As artists working to engineer large, heavy, complex objects, our digital tools are as important as our real world tools such as forklifts and welding equipment,” says sculptor Sean Orlando. “We can quickly prototype ideas and run the math to see if our concepts can become the real thing, or we can identify what needs to be solved to make an idea into a solid reality.”
How Autodesk Empowers Large-Scale Art
When a sculpture weighs several tons and stands multiple stories high, "winging it" is not an option. Autodesk can help solve three critical challenges:
- Structural Integrity: Using AutoCAD or Inventor, artists can create precise 2D and 3D blueprints that ensure a sculpture won’t just look good, but will also stand safely against wind, gravity, and public interaction.
- Rapid Prototyping: With Autodesk Fusion, nonprofits can move from a digital concept to a 3D-printed model or CNC-milled part in a fraction of the time it takes for traditional hand-modeling.
- Logistics & Installation: Large sculptures require "heavy lift studies." By simulating the movement of cranes and rigging in 3ds Max, collectives like Five Ton Crane can plan exactly how to assemble their work on-site without costly errors.
Which Autodesk Tools Might Help an Arts Nonprofit?
Product |
Use Case for an Arts Nonprofit |
| AutoCAD/ Inventor | Drafting technical 2D and 3D blueprints for permanent installations or gallery layouts. |
| Autodesk Fusion | Generating manufacturing-ready files for CNC machining, laser cutting, or 3D printing, for nonprofit makerspaces, labs, and small teams. |
| Media & Entertainment Collection | Creating high-impact visuals, animations, and video content to plan a live exhibit or engage donors. |
| AEC Collection | Designing large-scale "art-chitecture" structures and public pavilions. |
FAQ: Accessing Autodesk for Your Nonprofit
Is my arts organization eligible?
Most 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a budget under $10 million are eligible for Autodesk donations via TechSoup. This includes museums, community arts centers, and makerspaces.
How many licenses can we get?
Eligible organizations can request up to 10 Autodesk subscriptions per fiscal year (July 1–June 30).
What is the cost?
Through TechSoup, nonprofits pay a small administrative fee (often a 70-90 percent discount off retail prices) to access full-version, one-year subscriptions.
Start Your Next Big Project
Whether you are building a community mural or a five-ton masterpiece, the right tools allow your team to focus on the art, not the technical hurdles. Explore the Autodesk for Nonprofits program today (unfortunately we do not have access to AutoDesk Inventor at the moment) and see how your organization can create something great!