Sandra Kahale

Why does Toronto have the largest concentration of artists in Canada?

sgupta — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:54:06 +0000

Why does Toronto have the largest concentration of artists in Canada? sgupta Wed, 12/17/2014 - 08:54

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Grossman's Tavern (photo by Blaise Calaycay)

Sandra Kahale

Author legacy

Sandra Kahale

Features

Faculty of Arts & Science

Subheadline

Diversity attracts artists and boosts innovation, says researcher

In the age of globalization, it’s easy to imagine that cities might become less relevant. But there’s mounting evidence that the opposite, in fact, is true.

“Cities facilitate social learning – a trigger for innovation,” says Deborah Leslie of the department of geography. “Innovation is social, it’s interactive. And it happens at the scale of city-regions.”

With cities around the world racing to establish themselves as innovation centres, securing the best and brightest – and harnessing their creativity – is more important than ever. “Jobs are key to attracting talent. But quality of life matters, too,” says Leslie. “A vibrant music scene, restaurants, galleries, cultural events, authentic neighbourhoods…These things help attract and retain great people.”

But a thriving arts scene is not just a lifestyle perk.

“Art is an important sector in its own right,” Leslie says, pointing to Toronto’s flourishing television and film industries as an example. “And design, art and branding help sell products of all kinds.”

What's more, the presence of a lively, diverse arts community helps stimulate innovation in other, unrelated sectors of the economy.

“We used to think that innovation was the result of learning within industry clusters. More recently, we’ve come to understand that knowledge transfers between industries are even more important – and produce much more dramatic innovation.”

With creativity and innovation tied so closely to economic performance in the global marketplace, Leslie and her colleagues, Shauna Brail and Mia Hunt, have been turning their attention to understanding what draws creative people to Toronto.

“Toronto has the largest concentration of artists in the country. But it’s not a major international art hub like New York or Berlin. We wanted to understand what keeps artists rooted here,” Leslie explains.

Her research shows that while various considerations – including employment prospects and quality of life – shape artists’ decisions to come to Toronto, multiculturalism is an important part of what keeps them there.

“Diversity offers a range of experiences. It inspires creative people, exposes them to techniques and traditions from different cultures, and creates a broader local market for their work.”

Toronto already recognizes the relationship between creativity and cultural diversity, for example in its 2003 Culture Plan for the Creative City. But Leslie and her colleagues found that multiculturalism doesn’t always fully deliver on its promise.

“Toronto’s diversity isn’t well reflected in local artistic circles. Newcomers, First Nations artists and artists of colour often feel excluded from the city’s artistic networks – a key to career advancement in creative industries.” Barriers include language, social codes, lack of mentorship opportunities, financial constraints and the marginalization of art that is perceived to be or constructed as 'foreign' or 'exotic'.

“We mustn’t take diversity for granted, or treat it as a spectacle,” says Leslie. “A diverse arts community demands equal access to public institutions, respect for a range of artistic styles, and support for individual voices and new ideas.”

Leslie advocates policy and funding initiatives to address discrimination in the art world and support diversity in the arts. But there’s room for individual action, too. “Artists need our support. Get out and expose yourself to new art forms, new ideas and new perspectives. Be curious, explore and engage!”

Leslie’s research is part of a new book, Seeking Talent for Creative Cities: The Social Dynamics of Innovation, edited by Jill L. Grant.

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ScribbleLive: 91�Թ� entrepreneur revolutionizes delivery of breaking news

sgupta — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 13:38:56 +0000

ScribbleLive: 91�Թ� entrepreneur revolutionizes delivery of breaking news sgupta Tue, 09/30/2014 - 09:38

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(photo by Rosa Park at www.whitelionnessmedia.com)

Sandra Kahale

Author legacy

Sandra Kahale

Faculty of Arts & Science

Alumni

Subheadline

Computer science alumnus turns “bits of code” into international success

When Jonathan Keebler graduated from the 91�Թ�'s department of computer science in 2003, he didn’t really know what the future would hold.

“I loved coding. But the dot.com bubble had burst. I wasn’t sure where I’d fit in," he says. “I wanted to be part of a small company where I could make a big impact.”

Today, as co-founder of ScribbleLive, Keebler’s impact is massive.The company has already revolutionized the way breaking news is delivered. Now, it’s changing the face of digital content engagement.

Writer Sandra Kahale caught up with Keebler to learn more about ScribbleLive and 91�Թ�’s role in his success.

What is ScribbleLive?
We’re an end-to-end content engagement platform. We help brands, sports organizations and media companies engage with their online audiences powerfully, in real time.

Our clients include Red Bull, Ferrari, Bayer, Global TV, CNN, The Associated Press, Reuters, Rogers, Samsung and ESPN. They use ScribbleLive to deliver information: news as it unfolds, coverage of live events and conferences, real-time sports coverage, Oscar nights, Q and A’s and other content initiatives.

How is ScribbleLive making the world a better place?
When big things are happening in the world – like natural or man-made disasters – ScribbleLive makes it possible to communicate, in real time, right from the ground. News can be shared instantly.

Reporters can log into web pages to post stories, pictures and videos, or give updates via email, voice mail or mobile apps.

So, when the 2013 Boston Marathon suddenly turned from a marathon to breaking news of a bombing, people were able to learn exactly what was happening, right as it unfolded, keeping them safe and informed.

How did ScribbleLive come about?
My co-founder and I got a first-hand view of how media was telling stories when we worked in television. We saw that reporters were out there, on the ground, watching the news happen in front of them. But the media organizations couldn't capture it like that. They had to wait for reporters to come back to their office and file their stories.

We created ScribbleLive from some bits of code I had been working on to publish content in real time.

Since then, we’ve evolved into a content engagement platform. Brands are acting more and more like newsrooms. ScribbleLive connects them powerfully with their online audiences.

What was your time at 91�Թ� like?
I was really inspired by how smart everyone was! I came from a small town, and I did well in high school, but it was just so exciting to be surrounded all the time by smart, interesting people. 91�Թ� does a great job of bringing those kinds of people together.

Did your computer science degree help prepare you for your success?
Absolutely! For me, one day is never like the last. I’m always solving new problems and learning new things – it’s an aspect of my work I really love.

At 91�Թ�, I learned how to learn. Now I pick things up quickly because I have a framework.

91�Թ� also taught me critical thinking. That’s been key to my ability to solve problems, innovate and recognize opportunity as an entrepreneur.

Do you have a message for current computer science students?
We interview a lot of new grads. The ones I’m interested in are the ones who are hacking around in their spare time.
A computer science degree gives you a lot of skills. But you also have to get in there, try things, hack around, experiment and play with technology – that’s where you really learn to solve problems.

That’s what I look for when I’m hiring. And it’s what has made the difference in my own career.

With three rounds of financing under its belt, ScribbleLive has offices in Toronto, London, New York, Dubai and Melbourne. Keebler says he looks forward to the next major milestone: growing to 100 employees. Find out more at www.scribblelive.com.

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