Published Nov. 17, 2023 3:45 p.m. ET
Calgary Economic Development CEO Brad Parry, who is also the CEO of Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, along with Bow Valley College presdent and CEO Dr. Misheck Mwaba and Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek announce the development of a new multi-million dollar digital entertainment arts hub on the campus. (Photo: Bow Valley College)
Bow Valley College received some good news Thursday, when it received up to $5.5 million for the development of a digital entertainment arts hub.
The funding came through the City of Calgary’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), which is a $100 million fund launched by the city in 2018 to make strategic investments to help diversify and transform the city’s economy.
The Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub (CEAPH) will provide Bow Valley students with training, reskilling and upskilling a variety of digital creation skills, including 3D animation and visual effects, game development, post-production, augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, esports, podcasting and more.
“Disruptive technologies are transforming the way content is produced, distributed and monetized around the world,” said Brad Parry, CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development, in a media release.
“By investing in talent development and boosting entrepreneurship, we can capture the economic growth and investment attraction potential these changes bring.”
The hub is expected to help provide trained workers for the entertainment arts industry, and to attract more creative sector investment to Calgary – in addition to creating employment opportunities for Bow Valley students.
Between 2024 and 2028, the hub is expected to train 675 people, support over 125 companies and potentially create over 300 jobs.
“This investment is a game changer for our students, faculty and researchers who will go on to contribute their talent and skills to a thriving sector of our economy,” said Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund to build a world-class hub for the next generation of creative minds.”
MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The creation of a digital hub at Bow Valley College also offers students from equity-deserving groups access to state-of-the-art technology and creates dynamic mentorship opportunities, with an eye towards developing careers in the creative industries.
“An inclusive economy is built with opportunities for talent across sectors,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
“This investment into Calgary’s creative industries will strengthen our economy, expand Calgary’s culture of innovation and contribute to a dynamic and increasingly diversified downtown core.”
