THE PARENTING BIZ
Take One . . .
New Media Arts Community Centre “Reely” Will Attract All Ages
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uring a mid-June 2021 virtual press conference, the Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media and the Creative Arts (2012) announced that it will be receiving $2.1 million from the Canada and Ontario governments for a new Media Arts Community Centre (MACC) for downtown Windsor. With $970,000 to be matched by private donations and sponsorships, the total community investment is $2.9 million. Through its WE GROW TALENT campaign, the centre will be offering naming rights for the building, as well as an auditorium, various editing and office suites, production studios, and more. “The immediate plan is to retrofit the 25,000 sq. ft. facility on Victoria Avenue, long-time home to the Downtown Mission of Windsor,” reports Amanda Gellman, President. “After employing so many aspiring and emerging filmmakers through Film Camp for Kids & Youth, this has become a passion project. Volunteer and community organizations need a helping hand, and this is one where I felt my skills could be put to good use.” Once the Phase One building renovations are complete, the facility will become the new and permanent home for Film Camp for Kids & Youth (see: FilmCampForKids.com), as well as offer various educational programs and social activities directed to residents of Windsor/Essex, Chatham/Kent, and Sarnia/Lambton. Phase Two of MACC, which includes a second film studio, a professional music studio, and a 100-seat screening room, will begin once funds are committed.
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Shown is an artist rendering of a teaching space in the new Media Arts Community Centre (MACC), moving to 664 Victoria Avenue in downtown Windsor.
According to Gellman, the Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media and the Creative Arts will play an essential role in creating new opportunities for southern-Ontario residents interested in creative industries. “Over the past eight years we have created over 90 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) summer job opportunities for college and university students, as well as youth under 30 years of age,” she indicates. “Most are studying or working to build a career path in videography, communications, journalism, independent filmmaking, graphic design, creative writing, animation, accounting, marketing, social work, and more. By launching this centre, we hope to create local and regional opportunities that will help stop the brain drain to larger urban centres.” The media arts centre will be renting out,
B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1
on a sliding scale, spaces and equipment to local artists who are in film, music, theatre and more, to help them access training, resources and regional talent. Gellman also believes the centre will help to foster a new cohort of collaborative creative minds in southern Ontario, and not just amongst the youth. “I launched a full feature documentary in December 2020 entitled: ‘Aging & HIV: A Story of Resiliency’,” states Gellman. “It was another passion project, but it was also most definitely a reminder to myself and my peers that filmmaking can offer rewarding opportunities to all ages. The Centre will encourage intergenerational teams to work together on fulfilling projects, where youth and seasoned professionals and retirees can mentor one another.” For more information or to contact Gellman, visit: WindsorFilmMaking.com.