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,” said Brad Parry, CEO, Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.
“By investing in talent development and boosting entrepreneurship, we can capture the economic growth and investment attraction potential these changes bring.”
Calgary students to access new programming in the creative industries
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
At the Hub, students will have access to 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.
“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.”
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. The Hub is expected to support business development activities in the entertainment arts industry and attract more investment to Calgary across the creative 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.
OCIF investment builds an inclusive and accessible economy in Calgary
By removing financial barriers, providing access to cutting-edge technologies, delivering inclusive programs, and creating mentorship opportunities, especially for students from equity-deserving groups, the CEAPH aims to make careers in the creative industries more accessible to Calgarians.
“An inclusive economy is built with opportunities for talent across sectors,” said Calgary 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.”
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.
For more information on the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund portfolio, visit the OCIF website.