Important Members’ Meeting – December 11th, 7 PM at Ed Video
Dear Members and Friends,
We are reaching out to you today with a deep sense of gratitude and a call to action. Ed Video Media Arts Centre has always been a vital space for creative expression, collaboration, and community in Guelph. Your ongoing support has allowed us to provide essential services and resources for artists, filmmakers, creators, and community members – and for that, we are incredibly thankful.
Critical Moments Ahead: Relocation & Financial Sustainability
As many of you know, we are currently facing significant challenges that could impact our ability to continue offering the services that so many of you rely on. Ongoing cuts to government funding for arts organizations have put Ed Video in a precarious financial position. In fact, we are now at a point where we may not be able to continue our work unless we make some major changes, including the possibility of scaling back or even closing.
Exciting News: Our Move to Silence
As part of our strategy to ensure long-term sustainability, we’re thrilled to announce that Ed Video will be relocating to Silence, located at 46 Essex St, Guelph, as of January 1, 2025. This move presents us with an exciting new chapter!
The staff and board at Silence have been incredibly welcoming throughout this process, and we are excited to strengthen our collaboration with them, as well as with other nearby arts organizations. This move brings us closer to the heart of downtown Guelph, positioning Ed Video to engage with a wider and more diverse audience while maintaining the intimate, supportive space that our members value.
Though the space is more compact, we believe it will be a perfect fit for our evolving needs, offering a new sense of energy and opportunity to grow. We look forward to expanding our ability to support local artists, host dynamic events, and continue to provide accessible media arts resources to the community in this new chapter.
What We’ve Achieved in 2024
As we navigate these changes, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished in 2024 so far, thanks to your support. This year has been one of growth and resilience, as we continued to serve and support the creative community in Guelph. Here are some of the highlights:
- We hosted 17 workshops and provided over 100 members, artists, and partner organizations with access to media arts equipment and mentorship.
- Our in-house gallery became a platform for local, national, and international creators, with 13 exhibitions showcasing independent media artists, filmmakers, and performers.
- Over 150 equipment rentals have occurred since April 1, 2024 (fiscal year). Over 190 rentals since January 1, 2024 (calendar year).
- We’ve been busy fostering creativity and building connections through dynamic, community-driven events. Highlights include featuring an interactive video synth by local artist SLEDD at the Guelph Jazz Festival, where audiences could engage with the experience in real-time. At the Guelph Film Festival, we co-screened the thought-provoking documentary My Sextortion Diary, complemented by our very own “Candid Corner” where participants’ voices became part of the critical conversation about online vulnerability and digital culture.
- In addition, we celebrated local talent with the launch of our very own Ed Video beer, in collaboration with Royal City Brewing Co. The label was designed by local artist Ahmri Vandeborne, capturing the creative spirit of our community. The launch party not only introduced the brew but also served as a successful fundraiser, bringing together artists, community members, and supporters to celebrate both art and local culture.
- We’re also proud to support the next generation of creative voices, having supported the development of six new media art projects through our in-house production grants, helping to bring new ideas to life.
Join Us for a Critical Members’ Meeting
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 PM for an important Members’ Meeting at Ed Video (404 York Rd, Guelph, Ontario N1E 3H4). This gathering will focus on two key areas:
- Relocation & New Space: We will discuss our upcoming move to Silence at 46 Essex St. and what this transition means for our operations, our services, and how we can continue to support artists in this new environment.
- Financial Sustainability: We will address the current financial situation at Ed Video, including our efforts to secure funding, and the potential impact on the services we provide. We will also explore possible solutions, including fundraising strategies and ways the community can help.
This will be a collaborative and open meeting where your thoughts, ideas, and input will be crucial as we navigate these challenging times. Your support – both financial and strategic – will determine how we move forward.
If you cannot attend in person, please consider joining online over Zoom.
Meeting ID: 836 1001 3144
Passcode: 590033
We Need Your Help
There are a few ways you can help:
- Attend the Members’ Meeting: We need your ideas and input. Your involvement is critical as we determine the future of Ed Video.
- Make a Donation: If you’re able to, please consider making a donation to support our work. We are aiming to raise $10,000 to help us through these uncertain times. Donations can be made on our website through the donation button or through CanadaHelps.
- Spread the Word: Share our news with fellow artists, friends, and colleagues who care about the arts and creative communities in Guelph. The more people who know about our situation, the more likely we are to find solutions.
Launching Our GoFundMe Campaign:
In addition to the donation options on our website and through CanadaHelps, we will be launching a GoFundMe campaign in the coming week to help us meet our fundraising goal of $20,000. This campaign will be a way for us to reach even more supporters and engage the wider community in helping to sustain Ed Video during this critical time. We’ll be sharing the link soon, and we ask that you consider contributing, sharing, or promoting it to help spread the word.
We’re not just asking for your financial support – we’re asking for your engagement in shaping the future of Ed Video. Our mandate has always been to serve the community of artists in Guelph and beyond, and we want to make sure we’re still here to do that for many years to come. Our core strategies moving forward are: Financial Sustainability, Creative Collaboration, and Inclusivity, and with your help, we can ensure that Ed Video remains a vital space for artistic expression, community building, and innovation for generations to come. Don’t forget—the ‘Ed’ in Ed Video stands for Education.
Thank you again for your ongoing support of Ed Video Media Arts Centre. We look forward to seeing you on December 11th and working together to ensure the future of this vital organization.
Warm regards,
Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor
Executive Director, Ed Video Media Arts Centre
sarafina@edvideo.org
519-836-9811