Future Makers
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We Are Entanglement by Haru Ji and Graham Wakefield
Future Makers
Future Makers is an ever-evolving initiative dedicated to fostering curiosity, dialogue, experimentation, and innovation at the intersection of creativity and technology. Co-created and led by the City of Toronto’s Creative Technology office and The Creative School at TMU, we empower the creative community through education, collaboration, mentorship, and thought-provoking conversations to shape the future of the entertainment industry.
Future Makers 2024
FUTURE MAKERS 2024 EVENTS:
In October 2024, Future Makers will come alive in Toronto with a series of inspiring talks, cutting-edge workshops, and immersive exhibits. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, Future Makers brings together bright minds and bold creators, to enhance the discourse and experiences of creatives and companies pushing the boundaries of the industry.
Join us as we tinker, experiment, and spark meaningful conversations designed to help you shape the creative landscape for years to come.
Entangled Dimensions: Art in the Age of Neural Media
Oct 8th 12pm-5pm | Oct 9th 12pm-8pm
Location: Illuminarium, 28 Gristmill Lane, in the Distillery District
Presented by Future Makers in collaboration with the Human Feedback Foundation, Entangled Dimensions: Art in the Age of Neural Media is an immersive exhibition which explores the intricate connections between human and non-human intelligences through digital and neural media art. Curated by Ryan Kelln, we invite you to experience the work of Toronto-based artists as they navigate the ethical, social, and existential impacts of nature and technology, including AI, in the stunning setting of Illuminarium for a transformative journey into our future entanglements.
Featuring artists: Haru Ji & Graham Wakefield, Vladimir Kanic, Jane Tingley, Nava Messas Waxman, Evangeline Y Brooks, Wilfred Lee, and Ben McCarthy. Curated by Ryan Kelln.
Including three projects from TMU Masters of Digital Media graduates:
Aashana Dhingra, Maykel Shehata, Ryan Allen-Hallam, Sujay Rambajue; Charis Chu, Crystal Chan, Dione Almeida, Josephine Chan; Jahnoya Cole, Lee Radovitzky, Sarah Morassutti, and Harshita Jain.
Open to the public, admission is free
Over the course of two days, The Future Makers Symposium will showcase some of the most intriguing people and projects that are working to explore the future of entertainment through a series of panels, talks, discussions, workshops, and showcases. The Future Makers Symposium is relevant for professionals working in a wide range of creative industries at any part of their career, as well as for students and those aspiring to work in these fields.
The Future of Immersive and Digital Art. Co-Hosted by the Human Feedback Foundation and the Future Maker team.
Oct 9th 11am - 12pm
Location: Illuminarium, 28 Gristmill Lane, in the Distillery District
This session will be an enlightening panel discussion on "The Future of Art and Technology," where visionary artists, cutting-edge technologists, and industry experts converge to explore the dynamic intersection of creativity and innovation. Delve into the transformative impact of AI, virtual reality, and digital tools on artistic expression, and discover how emerging technologies are reshaping the way we create, experience, and perceive art. This conversation promises to spark new ideas and inspire fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of art in the digital age. Panelists will include artists from the Future Makers Exhibit: Entangled Dimensions as well a other local experts.
Featuring: Laura Nanni, Nuit Blanche; Adam Barrett, Luminato; Ryan Kelln, Human Feedback Foundation; Jason Baerg, OCADU; Miriam Arbus, Vector Festival; Vanessa Costa, Secret Location.
Fusing Gameplay & Healthcare
Oct 10th 9:30am-1pm
Location: KITE / UHN 550 University Ave #12-165, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2
Join us for an in-depth conversation and exploration of compelling story-driven experiences that fuse interactive technology, clinical insights, and user-centric narrative design to reimagine how we play games. Get inspired by how creators are responding to social challenges through their projects and creating imaginative pathways for driving positive outcomes.
After the session, you will have the opportunity to experience interactive demos, and take part in an exclusive tour of the University Health Network’s KITE Research Institute, which is leveraging technologies like virtual reality, motion capture and simulation environments to advance health research. Tour capacity is limited so please sign-up here to reserve your spot today.
The KITE Research Institute is a world leader in complex rehabilitation dedicated to improving the lives of people living with the effects of disability, illness and aging. This session is presented by KITE Creates – a new program at UHN that is bringing together diverse creatives, health researchers and health ventures to explore how fields like gaming, immersive media and fashion/wearable technology can be leveraged to support better health and accessibility.
Featuring: Dave Evans, Falling Squirrel; Victoria Evans, Digital Vic; Alison Humphries, YorkU.
Active Creation with AI: How to Be More Real with Artificial Intelligence
Oct 10th 3pm-5pm
Location: The Creative Enterprise Hub, Toronto Metropolitan University, 110 Bond St.
Calling all wordsmiths—authors, poets, lyricists, game builders, and every creative mind that thrives on words!
Join Jason Theodor for a lively and interactive workshop where you remain at the heart of creation. Discover how to make AI your collaborative partner, not just a push-button tool, to actively bring your ideas to life.
In this session, we'll demystify generative AI and explore how it can:
- Accelerate your brainstorming sessions with fresh perspectives.
- Augment your storytelling by uncovering new narratives and dialogues.
- Adapt your work into administrative formats, crafting the things you can’t bear to write like pitches and grants.
We believe that creation is the manifestation of intent—something only you possess. AI doesn't create with purpose, but it can amplify your intent when guided by your unique vision.
What to Expect:
- Hands-On Experience: Engage with AI tools like ChatGPT in real-time exercises.
- Personalized Guidance: Bring a project you're passionate about or an idea you're mulling over.
- Community Connection: Collaborate and share with fellow creatives in a supportive environment.
Leave with a toolkit of AI-powered strategies that elevate your creative process while keeping you—the human creator—in the loop. Let's bridge the gap between what you imagine and what you make, embracing AI as an accessible ally on your creative journey.
Your 21st Century Career Trajectory: AI from interns to execs.
Oct 10th 6pm-9pm
Location: The Catalyst, Toronto Metropolitan University, 80 Gould Street.
Join us for "Your 21st Century Career Trajectory: AI from Interns to Execs," an insightful panel exploring the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on career paths across all levels. From interns to executives, discover how AI is reshaping job roles, enhancing skills, and creating new opportunities. Hear from industry experts and seasoned professionals as they share their experiences, strategies, and predictions for navigating the evolving workforce. Don’t miss this chance to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to thrive in the AI-driven future!
Moderated by Jarret Lehman; Featuring: Neishaw Ali, SPIN Effects; Umar Ghuman, Futurist/Marketing; Vikas Gupta, AVARA Media; Rob Elsworthy, Video Games .
Biskaabiiyaang: Creating a Path Towards Healing and Reconciliation
Oct 10th
Biskaabiiyaang, an immersive virtual game, is set in a post-apocalyptic world invaded by linguicidals responsible for the death of the Ojibwe language Anishinaabemowin. It challenges players to learn the language — and save it from extinction — by exploring ruins, listening to the teachings of Elders and taking lessons from nature. Players discover how Indigenous history and culture have a role in returning beauty and magic to this world where Anishinaabe ways of life prevail. As an Indigenous community-led research project, Nokiiwin Tribal Council guides the work ensuring that Indigenous communities are first and foremost in the project’s direction.
Featuring: Rebecca Caines, YorkU.
The Future of Entertainment
Oct 10th
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking event featuring a dynamic lineup of five-minute talks from leading experts, each offering quick insights into the latest trends and innovations in entertainment. Following these brief presentations, dive deeper with a panel discussion that will unravel the nuances of these trends and their implications. The event will culminate in an in-depth conversation about the future of entertainment, where top-tier industry professionals will share their visions and predictions for how technology and creativity will shape the next era of entertainment. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of where the industry is headed and connect with the thought leaders driving its evolution.
Moderated by Ramona Pringle; Featuring: Zina Rahman, Transitional Forms; Shelley Simmons, Quiver; Sarah Watling, JALI Research.
Future Makers Presents: Vector Festival (external link)
A participatory and community-oriented initiative dedicated to showcasing digital games and creative media practices, will be presenting digital artworks from local artists during the annual xoTO party hosted by the city’s Film Office, celebrating Toronto’s incredible screen industry.
About Us
Founded in 2020, Future Makers is an ever-evolving initiative dedicated to nurturing curiosity, dialogue, experimentation, and bravery at the cutting edge of creative technology. Co-created and led by the innovative teams at the City of Toronto’s Creative Technology office and The Creative School at TMU, this vibrant initiative is committed to empowering the creative community to shape the future of the entertainment industry through education, collaboration, mentorship, and conversation. Our initiatives span from curated conversations around industry forecasting, to student internships that focus on digital transformation within the creative sector, to workshops and panel discussions tailored to the changing needs of stakeholders across Toronto’s creative industries. In September 2024, Future Makers will come alive in Toronto with a series of inspiring talks, cutting-edge workshops, and immersive exhibits. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, Future Makers brings together bright minds and bold creators, to enhance the discourse and experiences of creatives and companies pushing the boundaries of the industry. Join us as we tinker, experiment, and spark the meaningful conversations designed to help you shape the creative landscape for years to come.
We (Anthea Foyer, Ramona Pringle, Lorena Escandon, and Loc Dao) along with countless collaborators from industry, government, and education, are committed to nurturing growth, optimism, and creative innovation. We embrace a collective methodology that is communal, open, and generous, with a focus on collective growth and peer-to-peer knowledge transfer. We are committed to future planning and supports to foster the sustinability of the creative sector and the careers of the creators within it. We believe that thinking and making must be intrinsically intertwined, and that you can't shape policy without getting your hands dirty first. We love to learn, are constantly questioning what we thought we knew yesterday, and love the magic of art, creativity, and technology.
Our Team
Lorena Escandon
Dr. Escandón is an intrapreneur, professor, creative facilitator, and speaker in innovation, creativity, and new product development.
She has developed or co-developed and launched several programs. At Ryerson, she is the program coordinator of the Toy invention course series, and coordinator of the Toronto portion of the MOISAC Summer School on Management of Creativity. Earlier, at ÉTS she was co-responsible and co-instructor of: the "International Summer School of Innovation and Technological design", and "Innovation et entrepreneuriat : Entreprendre sans idée ", and collaborated in the organization of a global innovation competition called "Les 24 heures de l’innovation'' from 2013 to 2017.
She studied Information Technology at the University of Monterrey in Mexico, earned a master's degree in Entrepreneurship at the University of Lund in Sweden, and a Ph.D. in Innovation Management at the École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal, Canada. Her research interests are in the intersection between innovation, creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. She is trying to get people to work together and use technology to create new ideas and bring them to the market.
Ramona Pringle
Ramona Pringle is an award-winning creator, technologist, and educator, who has built her career around helping others navigate the rapidly changing digital world. She is an Associate Professor in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University. She is the 2020 recipient of the Ryerson Blue and Gold President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Ramona has an extensive background as a writer, producer, researcher and journalist, tackling complex, challenging topics and making them accessible with an engaging, entertaining approach. Currently, she is a technology columnist for CBC and a technology expert on Yahoo! Editor’s Edition. As an expert in interactive and digital media production, she was the interactive producer for PBS Frontline’s acclaimed flagship interactive project, Digital Nation. And wrote and produced the interactive documentary “Avatar Secrets.” Most recently Ramona created the Canadian Screen Award-nominated project Communities Create, an interactive program conceived as a rapid response to Covid-19, streamed on CBC Arts, dubbed “Peloton meets Art Attack.” Ramona’s projects have been featured at international festivals and conferences including i-docs, Power to the Pixel, TFI Interactive, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Hot Docs, SXSW, NXNE, Social Media Week, TEDx, and in publications including the New York Times, Mashable, Cult of Mac and the Huffington Post. She is a member of the City of Toronto Film, Television and Digital Media Board, a board member with Media Smarts and the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre, and the Chair of Interactive Ontario’s Emerging Talent Committee.
Anthea Foyer
Anthea leads the Creative Technology Office at the city of Toronto where she supports the video game, immersive, XR and esports industries. Anthea co-leads Future Makers and has a wide range of creative, government, and digital roles. This includes the Curator of Digital Public Art and Smart City Project Lead at the City of Mississauga, Senior Training Manager at CFC Media Lab, a Community Engagement Specialist, Creative Strategist, Curator and Artist. Her expertise comprises the creative technology sector (video games, immersive, esports, emerging technologies), digital public art (incl. digital infrastructure), strategic city building initiatives, as well as interactive narrative. She is currently the Focal Point for Toronto’s UNESCO City of Media Arts designation for the City of Toronto. She previously sat on the Board of Smart Cities World, has been a Canadian juror for the UN Task force’s World Summit Awards, served as Co-Chair of InterAccess, as well as a variety of other boards and committees.