It’s a wrap!
2021 Creative
Incubator Initiative

It’s a wrap!
2021 Creative Incubator Initiative

2021 Creative Incubator Initiative wraps up with a documentary screening

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2021 Creative Incubator. Back row, left to right: Deeter Schurig, Branden Boyd, Juan Hurtado, Ximena Ríos, Jocelyn Mah, Lana Skauge, Michael Dargie, James Watson. Front row, left to right: Tauran Wood, Gladzy Kei, Scout, Harvey Nichol, Erin Maclean-Berko, Mackenzie Bedford, Misha Maseka. Missing: Meg Ohsada, Ryan Wilkes, Ross "Memphis" Pambrun.

On September 24th we were able to bring this year’s Incubator artists together at long last. The changing circumstances of the global pandemic meant that more restrictions were imposed during the Incubator than anticipated. While the artists met each other and collaborated via Zoom sessions, for the most part they worked alone or with only their dedicated filmmaker in attendance.

Newly instituted vaccine passport policies provided an opportunity to bring this talented group of individuals into the same space at last. Friendships forged online flourished in real life during a screening of the 11 short artist documentary films created over the course of this five-week program.

We invite you to get acquainted with the incredible artists of the Incubator and learn more of their stories. Over the next while, we will take you through each artist’s individual journey. Take a moment now and enjoy this brief introduction.

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More about the Creative Incubator Initiative

This five-week program supported 11 local artists from diverse artistic disciplines, backgrounds and career stages. Painters, dancers, musicians, and multidisciplinary performers participated in the inaugural Creative Incubator Initiative. The program provided artists with inspiring space, connection to creative community, and entrepreneurial learnings to expand their artistic development during the pandemic.

“We are delighted to support local artists in this difficult time. In providing access to inspiring creative space and peer learning within our cSPACE Creative Hub community, our hope is to enable artists’ imaginations to take flight. We want artists to experiment and expand their creative practice despite the limitations of the pandemic.”
– Deeter Schurig, President & CEO of cSPACE

Artists gained access to our Studio Theatre and received  support from theatre technicians to realize their ideas. The projects and artistic practice of these artists was captured by professional filmmakers, showcasing the story of their re-emergence out of COVID.The artists were also provided learning in marketing and branding, knowledge sharing within their cohort, and connections to the cSPACE artistic community through performance and exhibition opportunities.

Photos from the documentary screening on September 24

Selected by an independent external jury, 11 artists-in-residence were selected for the Creative Incubator Initiative at cSPACE. The Incubator provided artists impacted by the pandemic with the opportunity to return to their artistic practice in the creative facilities and Studio Theatre at cSPACE.The cohort, selected in March 2021 by an independent jury, included:

  • Mackenzie Bedford, illustrator, animator and projection specialist
  • Léda Davies, circus performer
  • Savanna Harvey, interdisciplinary artist
  • Gladzy Kei, cosplay artist and illustrator
  • Jennifer Lee, visual artist
  • Jocelyn Mah, dancer
  • Harvey Nichol, painter and graphic artist
  • Meg Ohsada, dancer
  • Ross Pambrun, aka Memphis and the Grande, musical artist
  • Lana Skauge, storyteller
  • James Watson, violinist

The Incubator Initiative could not have been successful without the additional support of cSPACE staff, technicians, and the following professional development coaches and filmmakers. Special thanks goes out to:

  • Misha Maseka, filmmaker
  • Ximena Ríos, filmmaker
  • Ryan Wilkes, filmmaker
  • Branden Boyd, theatre technician
  • Tauran Wood, theatre technician
  • Erin Maclean-Berko, program coordinator
  • Michael Dargie, branding and marketing advisor
  • Christina Jahn, creative inquiry advisor

Finally, cSPACE is grateful to the financial support of the Calgary Foundation in making this Initiative possible.

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