OCIF invests in the Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub at Bow Valley College
CALGARY, AB, Nov. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund ("OCIF") is positioning Calgary to seize new opportunities in digital media and entertainment arts by investing up to $5.5 million into the Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub ("CEAPH") at Bow Valley College.
"Disruptive technologies are transforming the way content is produced, distributed and monetized around the world. By investing in talent development and boosting entrepreneurship, we can capture the economic growth and investment attraction potential these changes bring," said Brad Parry, CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.
The CEAPH will be a world-class facility right in downtown Calgary and a creative arts ecosystem that aims to grow careers and companies in the creative industries by offering training, reskilling, and upskilling programs including 3D animation and visual effects, game development, post-production, augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, esports, podcasting and more.
Supporting business incubation, applied research, community-building, and youth engagement, the Calgary Entertainment Arts Production Hub at Bow Valley College will be a catalyst for economic growth, supporting business development activities in the entertainment arts industry and attracting more investment to Calgary in this exciting sector.
Between 2024 and 2028, the CEAPH is expected to train 675 individuals and support more than 125 companies. These efforts have the potential to 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. We are thrilled to partner with the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund to build a world-class hub for the next generation of creative minds," said Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO of Bow Valley College.
The CEAPH aims to make careers in the creative industries more accessible to Calgarians by removing financial barriers, providing access to cutting-edge technologies, delivering inclusive programs, and creating mentorship opportunities, especially for students from equity-deserving groups.
"An inclusive economy is built with opportunities for talent across sectors. 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," said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
OCIF is a $100-million initiative launched by the City of Calgary in 2018 to make strategic investments to diversify and transform the economy. It is a critical tool to advance Calgary's economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy, as each investment is designed to spur a larger increase in economic activity.
To date, more than $82 million has been allocated to 26 projects, which has spurred $800 million dollars of investment, the creation, training and retention of more than 3,000 jobs, and supported or started more than 500 local companies.
Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary in 2018 to support catalytic investments within the city to help diversify and transform the economy. The fund is administered by Calgary Economic Development and has a volunteer Board of Directors. For more information, please visit our website.
For more information contact:
Grace Fullerton
Manager, Communications
Media line: 403 880 7040
Email: [email protected]
Calgary and region's largest College – with 15,000 full- and part-time students – Bow Valley College helps Open Doors and Open Minds to in-demand jobs in Calgary, Alberta, and Canada. Our graduates contribute to the digital economy, careers in business, TV & film production, and serve on the frontlines of healthcare and social services. Bow Valley College invests in three applied research pillars: educational technology, social innovation, and health.
For more information contact:
Shannon van Leenen
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 403 671 3274
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund
Share this article