RMG Friends Ignite Durham Announce Start-Up Boot Camp!

We recently hosted the DATCA awards at an RMG Fridays event. During the evening our friends from the Spark Centre announced this new initiative that is designed to encourage start-up business in Durham Region.

New business boot camp has $25,000 cash for entrepreneurs in Durham Region.

WHITBY, ON November 12, 2012 – Entrepreneurs in Durham Region have until January 11, 2013 to apply for Ignite, a brand-new start-up boot camp that will set two local companies on the path to success.

Ignite is presented by Spark Centre, a not-for-profit organization that offers services and support to local entrepreneurs; The Region of Durham; and VentureStart, a program that helps technology entrepreneurs in Southern Ontario. “We are on the hunt for exciting, high-potential start-ups,” said Martin Croteau, executive director of Spark Centre. “We know that Durham is full of inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs. We are going to throw the support of the entire community behind the top two companies we can find.”After a rigorous selection process involving a public Pitch Night and boardroom presentations, two “Ignite Start-ups” will be announced in early March. These two companies will then enter an intensive four-month boot camp, which includes the following: a $25,000 cash award; access to a Power Panel of high-profile entrepreneurs; and in-kind professional services from local experts in areas such as finance, marketing, and law. In addition to accelerating the success of the two chosen companies, Ignite will showcase the exceptional local resources available to all entrepreneurs in Durham. The boot camp will culminate in a public event, the Ignite Finale, on June 25, 2013 at The Regent Theatre in Oshawa.

“Durham Region is proud to partner with Spark Centre to launch Ignite, the powerful next step for the Art of Transition to continue to support a strong local creative economy,” said Kerri King, Tourism Manager for Durham Region. “Through Ignite, we will continue to promote Durham’s innovative culture, and create more well-paying jobs in our community.”Applications are available online and must be received by 5 p.m. on January 11, 2013. Please visit www.ignitedurham.ca for more information on the application process, eligibility criteria, and important dates.

Spark Centre is a not-for-profit that helps to start and grow innovative technology-based companies in Durham Region and Northumberland County. We are one of fourteen Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) that are part of the Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE). Together we support the commercialization of ideas right across Ontario. Spark Centre’s services are provided thanks to the generous financial support of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, Durham Region, the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance (DSEA) and the Northumberland Manufacturer’s Association (NMA).

The Curator’s View: True Power at UOIT

From the desk of Linda Jansma, our curator.

On Monday, 28 November in the morning, I attended the official opening of UOIT’s Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre (ERC). Six years ago, we invested in a ground source heating system for our home, so I am excited to know that Oshawa’s university is a leader in research into innovation in clean and renewable energy as this is where the future is undoubtedly taking us. After the dignitaries spoke, they gathered in front of a sculpture to cut the ribbon and declare the building officially open. Yes, they stood in front of a sculpture!

And not just any sculpture but Geordie Lishman’s True Power, a magnificent 4.1 metre high stainless steel horse that I first saw at Geordie’s home and studio in Ajax. True Power was the central work in the exhibition Hidden Worlds held at the RMG this past summer and which I described in the catalogue essay as an “other-worldly creature of graceful power.” This exhibition was definitely a highlight in our 2011 programming year as shown by the hundreds of people who attended the opening and the number of repeat visitors we had over the summer months.

I was thrilled to hear of the community grass roots initiative to purchase the work for UOIT and specifically for the new research centre. Oshawa and its citizens continue to support this place as a creative city and it shows in how quickly they were able to raise the funds to make this initiative happen. Geordie describes his sculpture as symbol of untapped potential in harnessing energy. How perfect that it would become a centre piece for an institution that is also seeking to harness renewable energy sources! Congratulations go to Geordie, our tireless community supporters of the arts and UOIT in making this match possible.

The Stellas support the Q in Oshawa Campaign with a Song

Friday night the RMG played host to a buzzing crowd for First Fridays. On the 4th floor committee members from the Art of Transition mingled, on the main floor the Gillian Margot Trio performed, while Marina Osmond snapped pictures in a photobooth. Artist Susan Dobson was in attendance, having travelled from Guelph to welcome Oshawa’s crowd to see her exhibition By Design. On the lower level the AIDS Committee of Durham Region hosted POZitive Portrayals, an exhibition of works by HIV positive artists from the region. The atmosphere was electric, and so many people took photos with our big red Q in support of the Q Live in Oshawa Campaign! We’re excited to share those with you in the morning.

The event had the kind of eclectic crowd you might expect, with mohawked teens seated next to seniors, mothers with babies in arms next to twenty-somethings on dates. Art has a way of bringing people of all stripes together. It is always a joy to see. February is the one year anniversary of First Fridays and so we think it would be a great time for Jian Ghomeshi and his show Q to come and check out Oshawa and see what we’re all about.

Tonight, country/pop duo and hometown favourites The Stellas posted this video to show their support of the campaign! Thanks you two! We are honoured to have your support in this competition, which gets to be more fun with each passing day. Learn more about The Stellas on their website www.thestellasmusic.com and be sure to ‘like’ the Q Live in Oshawa Campaign on facebook.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1l0M4TsgsE?wmode=transparent]

The Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards & Tourism Summit

This Friday staff from the RMG will be at the UOIT/Durham College campus in Oshawa at the Durham Region Tourism Summit, which is followed by the DATCA’s, (Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards). We’re proud to be part of this event as an exhibitor and a DATCA nominee!

Two of our projects were nominated this year. One is our First Fridays event series, the other our public art installation by Douglas Coupland. We are so proud of both of these accomplishments and we look forward to learning about all of the other interesting and exciting projects that have happened in Durham Region that led to other businesses, artists and organizations being nominated.

We hope you will be attending the event!

November 25, 2011
TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Durham College/ UOIT Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre
ADDRESS: 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, Ontario
ADMISSION: FREE

Links From the Art of Transition:

Summit and Awards

Nominees

YouTube Page with many speaking about the importance of this project

The Art of Transition on Facebook

Facebook Event Page – Tourism Summit

Facebook Event Page – Creative Marketplace