MISSION
We are dedicated to growing talent and creating jobs in film, digital media and the creative arts.
VISION
To be a recognized leader in talent and job growth in media arts.
The Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media & the Creative Arts (2012) is a non-profit organization that is working with its charity partner, the Media Arts Community Centre & Museum (2018), to raise funds to open a new, and much needed, media arts facility in downtown Windsor. The two organizations are currently offer-ing year-round virtual and on-site educational programs from four different locations, which is less than ideal but imperative due to space restrictions.
In order to make this project a reality, the WE GROW TALENT CAMPAIGN will raise funds over five years, in three phases. The goal is to offer a creative space for all ages and stages from diverse cultures and ethnicities – families, childrenand youth, young adults, emerging entrepreneurs, retirees, volunteers, seniors and the general public.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.”
– Ghandi
The Media Arts Community Centre (MACC) will be located at 664 Victoria Avenue, which was originally built as Temple Baptist Church in 1925, and more recently home to the Downtown Mission. This iconic facility is accessible and conveniently located, and it neighbours multiple ground-level public parking lots with greater than 300 spaces. Most important, it will accommodate diverse teaching spaces, a unique auditorium, editing suites, film and music studios local film archives, formal and casual meeting and networking spaces, as well as the land to add an additional 10,000 sq ft of creative space.
The Project
Southern Ontario is proudly reinventing itself as a region where diverse industries can flourish. MACC will contribute to the cultural and economic development plans set forth by the municipal, provincial and federal governments and economic development associations. Local arts, charitable and non-profit groups will host small and large events in the city’s core; artists and filmmakers will host fundraising events to bring their ideas to fruition. Sliding scale rental fees on a 28,000 sq ft facility will ensure sustainability since fees would cover ongoing maintenance, insurance and utility costs.
“Filmmaking is the ultimate team sport.”
– Michael Keaton
Young people and career seekers interested in filmmaking and digital media, also including animation, graphic design, photography, music videos, web design and gaming, will be attracted to opportunities which, in the past, others relocated to high-cost urban areas to explore. Producers, directors, authors, actors, costume designers, musicians, set builders, make-up artists, camera operators, musicians and others will have access to an accessible, affordable venue to produce their craft. Accountants and lawyers will be busy chasing tax credits and contracts.
High school and post-secondary students will have opportunities for internships, co-ops and job placements. Now that the University of Windsor has moved its Visual Arts, Music and Media & Film programs downtown, and St. Clair College has its MediaPlex, MACC will be the perfect community-based facility for students to gain hands-on work experience. Students from other disciplines of study will also reap the benefits of having MACC as a community resource. Library Science students will be intrigued by the archives and collections, Human Kinetics students will co-op in event planning, and Business students will work for MACC as well as emerging businesses we support.
MACC will draw seasoned media and creative arts experts, as visitors and tourists, some of whom will ‘be from’ the area. They left to pursue their dreams and will return to serve as guest lecturers and visiting artists. They will teach and mentor to help us grow regional talent in Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Filmmaking tests one’s creative and advancing technological abilities, and it teaches: leader-ship, teamwork, discipline, coordination, time management and working to deadlines, strategy, self-discipline, patience and understanding, the importance of diverse ideas, endurance, quality control, budgeting, and many other skills that help achieve success in other sectors.
“We don’t make movies to make more money. We make money to make more movies.”
– Walt Disney
Naming Opportunities for Individuals, Families and Businesses
A business or charitable receipt is available; naming opportunities below are placeholders.
VIEWING PHOTOS
Use the arrows on each side of the carousel to scroll through the images. Click on an image to enlarge it, and click again to return.
Phase One
-Studio A: Production/Music $200,000
-Live Room $25,000
-Control Room $25,000
-Community Commons $250,000
-Community Kitchen $100,000
-The Gallery $200,000
-Editing Suite A $25,000
-Editing Suite B $25,000
-Editing Suite C $25,000
-Editing Suite D $25,000
-Costume Room $15,000
-Equipment Room $15,000
-Prop Room $15,000
$500,000
-The Loft $200,000
-Gaming & Animation Room $150,000
-Office Suite $300,000
Phase Two
-The Patio $250,000
-The Parkette $50,000
-Lecture Theatre $400,000
-Seats (100) @ 250 each $25,000
-Studio B: Music $400,000
•Live Room •Control Room
•ISO Booth 1 & 2 •Machine Room
-Lobby $50,000
-Meeting Room $25,000
-Editing Suite E $25,000
-Studio C: Production $400,000
-Video Control Room $25,000
-Editing Suite F $25,000
-Editing Suite G $25,000
-Equipment Room $25,000
Charitable Donations and Sponsorships
If you are interested in donating to or sponsoring one of the following programs, rather than making a capital contribution, we can also make that possible. Our programs run year-round, in-person and virtually.
• Film Camp for Kids & Youth (ages 8-18)
Click to go to Film Camp website
• Year-Round Young Adult Education (ages 19-35)
• Plugged In: Seniors’ and Retirees’ Programming (ages 55+)
• HUB691 (rent subsidy support for entrepreneurial digital media and arts students and recent grads)
• Special Events and Programs
• Sponsorship of TV Programming and Independent Films
”Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.“
– Pablo Picaso
To Make A Pledge, Click Here & Download This Form.
To lend your support, or to request additional information, contact:
Amanda Gellman
team@windsorfilmmaking.com
519-819-8964
Chair, Media Arts Community Centre & Museum
President, Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media & the Creative Arts
Founder, Film Camp for Kids & Youth