In the Forum

Margaret Parsons Theatre

Margaret Parsons Theatre

Meet your fellow conference attendees

In the Forum

Panelists include Tyler McKinney (Voices of Resilience), Eman Safadi (FOREIGNERZ), Shivani Saini (Creatives Empowered), and Shawn Tse (FascinAsian Film Festival).

Inclusive Pixels: Deconstructing Skin Tone Representation in Media Arts

How do our creative choices shape the way skin tones are seen and understood in media arts? In this workshop, Diane Din Ebongue will share early findings from her ongoing research exploring media professional practices in skin tone representation.

Attendees will also be introduced to the early development of an AI assistant designed in collaboration with Ukai Projects and Ryan Kelln to support artists and creators in considering skin tone diversity within their workflows.

This session is not about prescribing solutions or uncovering universal truths. It aims to offer a space for honest dialogue, practical reflection, and collective learning. Participants will leave with new perspectives and actionable ideas to carry into their own media arts practices.

The IMAA Advocacy Committee is excited to share the new Media Arts Advocacy Toolkit! The Toolkit outlines a set of value propositions and evidence–for multiple types of advocacy opportunities–on the importance of the national Media Arts sector. Join Rachel Broussaud & nazanin oghanian on how to utilize the toolkit for you to define and advocate for the value of the Media Arts in Canada.

Join Jason Frizzell as he introduces you to the AVFX and Film program at Red Deer Polytechnic, highlighting the faculty and some of the student's work. Afterwards join him for a tour of the labs and studios with a Q&A session.

Magic Hours is a heartfelt documentary that explores the struggles of movie theatres in Alberta, as they fight to survive in an era of shifting film consumption and economic hardship. The film highlights the passionate individuals striving to preserve these historic venues, which once served as vital community hubs. In the Crowsnest Pass, a group works to revive the long-closed Roxy Theatre, while in Stettler, Wendy Rairdan faces the tough reality of possibly closing the 70-year-old Jewel Theatre. In High River, the Kidwai family reflects on the emotional journey of keeping the Wales Theatre alive for over two decades. Through these personal stories, Magic Hours captures the deep love and dedication behind these theatres, showcasing the powerful connections between communities and the cultural spaces they hold dear—even when the future is uncertain.

Afterwards, join us for a Q&A and panel talk with director Levi Holwell, Heather Noel from Metro Cinema in Edmonton, and Spencer Estabrooks from Calgary Cinematheque.

A collaborative Exquisite Corpse animation project facilitated by Ryan Von Hagen and featuring animators from Quickdraw Animation Society, Pixel Blue College and Red Deer Polytechnic. An AMAAS conference is also not complete without karaoke, which will be hosted by our own Conference Coordinator, Teresa Tam!

Life, Work, and Everything In Between: A Mental Health Check-In

For creatives, the line between life and work can feel constantly blurred. Hosted by Katelyn Barraza BSW, RSW of Homegrown Arts & Media Collective, an organization committed to balancing content creation with mental wellness, this workshop invites participants to pause for a focused mental health check-in.

Together, we’ll unpack the unique pressures of creative industries, identify common thinking traps, and explore practical, CBT-based tools to manage stress, build resilience, and protect your mental well-being—both on and off the clock.

In the Forum

Margaret Parsons Theatre

Funders in attendance: Felipe Diaz (Canada Council for the Arts, Director, Granting Program Operations) Nick Haywood (Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Arts Development Consultant - Film and Video) Kari McQueen (Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Arts Development Consultant - Visual Art and New Media) Allan Rosales (Calgary Arts Development, Community Investment Manager) Areum Kim (Calgary Arts Development, Grant Program Specialist) Misha Nelson (Edmonton Arts Council, Manager, Arts Development and Investment) Shirley Combden (Edmonton Arts Council, Associate Executive Director, Finance, Organization Effectiveness & Engagement)

Includes: President's message, Executive Director's report, presentation of the 2024 Financial Statements, election of the Board of Directors

In the Forum

Join this workshop by Kathryn Blair for an introduction to soldering and to make a rainbow light up accessory (like a bow tie, corsage, brooch, or hair accessory)! Get out of your head for a bit and make something fun to wear! If you've never soldered before and want to get over that first project, this is a perfect workshop for you. If you have soldered before and just want to make something fun, that also works!

Pinning Music to Paper

After a short discussion in regards to Shannon Lyons' artistic process with synesthesia, participants are invited to challenge their perception of art and music.

On the whiteboard will be a group of words that form a medley lyric, as well as a number of words that represent her personal fountain of creativity. Participants will be offered a palette of art pieces, and a challenge to create a simple collage with the various pieces to see if they can put in order the lyric she's created using their own sense of balance and creativity. Using pieces of artwork produced during various concerts and speaking events, scissors and a glue stick, we will challenge the norms of the songwriting/fine art dynamic.

While you are working on your various pieces, Lyons will encourage a Q&A/group discussion, allowing any curiosity surrounding herself and artistic process to be satisfied.

The person to most successfully match the lyrics and artwork in the right order, will win a framed artist’s proof of Alberta Skies, a 2025 ACACA regional category award winning piece based on Ian Tyson’s music. If more than one person orders the pieces correctly, a name will be drawn for the winner.

Join Brandon Bouchard for this Downtown Mural Tour, a lively exploration of Red Deer’s outdoor gallery. Guests get an up-close look at the city’s stunning public art while hearing the stories behind each piece—the artists, the inspiration, and the way these murals bring the streets to life. Tour starts at the Red Deer Arts Council and will continue throughout Downtown Red Deer.

We will be presenting the recipient of the 2025 Spirit of Helen award. Preceding the presentation will be a memorial tribute to Marcella Bienvenue by Sandra Vida.

SYNC: Mini Presents Signal Symbiosis

Signal Symbiosis marks the debut live collaboration between Calgary-based music project Underground Wires and visual artist lightpirate, blending immersive soundscapes with generative visuals in real time. The performance will feature reimagined selections from Underground Wires' cinematic discography, alongside instrumental pieces from Charles Gunn’s alias Eine Kleine China, reinterpreted for a dynamic audio-visual experience.

Known for fusing acoustic instrumentation with ambient electronics, Charles Gunn (he/him) creates music inspired by story, setting, and emotion. His recent release, Death at the Luau Soundtrack (May 2025), continues an ongoing collaboration with author Mimi Gunn, scoring her mystery novels with lush, evocative soundtracks. This show expands that vision into the live realm, exploring the interplay between sound and sight for the first time with lightpirate.

Expect a set that flows from tropical noir to cinematic tension, from pulsing synths to delicate guitar work — all woven together with vivid, improvised visuals that respond in real time.

Preceding the performance, Mat Carter joins us to unpack how artist-led collaboration is reshaping Alberta’s live media arts scene. He will share the growing movement behind Oscill8 Collective and SYNC, and how these platforms are building the future of live performance. Carter will speak about Oscill8’s approach to artist-led infrastructure, the vision behind SYNC, and how live electronic music and visual performance can shape the next chapter of Canadian media arts. His presentation will explore how performance, storytelling, and community-driven strategy can build lasting support systems for creators across Alberta and beyond.

Imagining Accessible Media Futures

Join the National accessArts Centre (NaAC) for a discussion of media centered on accessibility. In an increasingly uncertain media landscape, how can media artists imagine and advocate for a future that prioritizes community wellbeing, inclusion, and fun?

Facilitated by Katie Wackett, filmmakers Paul Brain and Sachi Morishita will speak on their experiences as creators living with disabilities and share a sneak peek of their upcoming speculative fiction short film COSMOS REPORT.

Brunch & Conference Wrap Up