Toronto Media Arts Centre

A place to create and experience video, film, games and digital culture in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood.

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Exhibitions & Festivals

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Events & Workshops

Dames Making Games

Winter Swap & Shop!

2019-12-14T17:00:00.000-05:00 2019-12-14T19:00:00.000-05:00 This month – no speakers! Instead, we’re swapping clothes and selling off equipment to benefit [Sistering](http://sistering.org/), a service agency for at-risk women here in our ward that we <3. Get some fresh-for-you duds, and trade in your unworn coats, tops, bottoms, dresses and winter accessories. Plus, DMG will have equipment for sale cheap as we are upgrading laptops and VR gear soon and need to clear space! ### How to Swap & Shop * Bring up to 10 items of clothing – clean and in good condition. * Browse the clothing other members have brought, and take whatever you want or need. * Cookie swap: Bring some baked goods to nom while you shop, and take home a goodie bag. We will also have some items like laptops, electronics grab bags, and office furniture for sale CHEAP! You do not have to bring items to trade in order to attend! We’ll have a private space to try things on, warm beverages, music and friends. We will have extra-special holiday treats, and encourage you to bring home baked goodies to share. 🍪 ### What to Bring Up to 10 items of clothing to swap, cash to shop, and home baked goodies if you want! https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1554672594-c4lwas5xaaaygpb.jpg CONFIRMED
December 14, 5:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Open RPG Gaming Night

2019-12-12T18:30:00.000-05:00 2019-12-12T22:30:00.000-05:00 Always wanted to try playing a roleplaying game like Dungeons and Dragons? Come enjoy a relaxed, beginner-friendly night of gaming, with DMG members facilitating and running rpgs, gm-less storytelling and worldbuilding games, and more! If you’re a DMG member and would like to facilitate a game, please send Shel Kahn (shel@portablecity.net) a note so we know how many players your game can accommodate and how much space we’ll need! Safety tools will be in use at all tables, and no prior roleplaying game experience is required! RSVP to save your seat and come try something new and fun! We’re keeping up that sweet #dmgrpg content with another Open RPG Night. Come on out and play games with friends old and new in a safe, welcoming environment. Our friendly GMs have some really exciting games to share with you both traditional and indie. Bring a pal. It’s going to be rad. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1574279759-20191030211754.jpg CONFIRMED
December 12, 6:30 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games + Social Body Lab

Stitch & Stuff: Making Sewable Games

2019-11-26T18:30:00.000-05:00 2019-11-26T21:00:00.000-05:00 **Join the crew from Social Body Lab, game:play lab and DMG in another Textile Game Controller workshop – this time, no screens!** In this workshop, we will learn how to make a hardware-only game using a microcontroller and electronic components. We will use electronic textile materials and soft circuit techniques to create a fully working Simon-style game. These games will be yours to take home at the end of the workshop! No previous experience with Arduino, electronics, sewing, or games is required, although a love for one of these things can be helpful. ABOUT This workshop is part of the Textile Game Controller workshop series – a partnership between OCAD University’s Social Body Lab and game:play Lab and Dames Making Games, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Partnership Engage Grant. Be sure to check out our future events as well! SAVE THE DATES! We have one more textile game controller fun coming up on January 15 and a jam in February 2020. More info will be announced soon! Watch Slack and Twitter for registration news. What to Bring We will have everything you need to do the basic example, but feel free to bring your laptop if you would like to alter the code or woven, non-stretchy fabric if you’d like to use a particular colour or type of material. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1570071915-textile-game-controllers-workshop-nov15-2018-sbl-dmg-large-6.jpg CONFIRMED
November 26, 6:30 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games + Game Workers Unite

Game Workers: Know Your Rights

2019-11-24T18:00:00.000-05:00 2019-11-24T21:00:00.000-05:00 **Join Game Workers Unite Toronto for a discussion with a labour lawyer on your rights in the workplace!** Are you a game worker doing 80-hour crunch weeks? Not getting a lunch break? Organizing your workplace and worried about corporate retaliation? Come on by to learn what workplace protections you, as a worker in Ontario, are legally entitled to! https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1574121130-gameworkersunitepamphlets-1000x600.jpg CONFIRMED
November 24, 6:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Unity for Absolute Beginners - Part 2

2019-12-15T13:00:00.000-05:00 2019-12-15T17:00:00.000-05:00 ## Learn Unity from scratch in this two-part class for absolute beginners! *NOTE: This is a 2-part workshop on December 8 and December 15.* We’ll be making a 3D scavenger hunt game, covering the basics of: * physics * collisions * materials * using the Asset Store * a bit of animation UI * and the inspector You'll learn some simple coding in C#, covering the basics of Object Oriented Programming, which might be familiar to you if you've programmed in other languages. The UI portion will also include a simple method for building games with text narrative! ### Who is this workshop for? Like the title says… absolute beginners to Unity! This will be an extremely gentle slope into the software. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1562624745-f07c1940257613-57782c1bab7ad.png CONFIRMED
December 15, 1:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Unity for Absolute Beginners - Part 1

2019-12-08T13:00:00.000-05:00 2019-12-08T17:00:00.000-05:00 ## Learn Unity from scratch in this two-part class for absolute beginners! *NOTE: This is a 2-part workshop on December 8 and December 15.* We’ll be making a 3D scavenger hunt game, covering the basics of: * physics * collisions * materials * using the Asset Store * a bit of animation UI * and the inspector You'll learn some simple coding in C#, covering the basics of Object Oriented Programming, which might be familiar to you if you've programmed in other languages. The UI portion will also include a simple method for building games with text narrative! ### Who is this workshop for? Like the title says… absolute beginners to Unity! This will be an extremely gentle slope into the software. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1562624745-f07c1940257613-57782c1bab7ad.png CONFIRMED
December 8, 1:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

DMG Annual General Meeting

2020-01-25T13:00:00.000-05:00 2020-01-25T14:30:00.000-05:00 Attend the DMG annual member meeting for insight and input into operations, finances, and plans for the future. ### Agenda * Review of 2019 board and committee activities, and summary of plans for 2020 * Presentation of 2019 financial statements * Appointment of the auditor of the corporation for the upcoming year * Hear proposals and board member nominations, if any * Vote on board member nominees and confirm 2020 appointments * Call for new committee members * Snacks & friends! The voting portion of the meeting is open only to Class A members. If you have any questions about your membership please drop us a line. Logistics * Meeting will start promptly at 1pm. * Light refreshments will be provided – please note any allergies in your member profile. * TTC tokens available by request. * Not in Toronto, or can’t make it to the venue? Register for the live streaming ticket. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1536782450-bgevents.gif CONFIRMED
January 25, 1:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Game Writers Circle + Social

2020-01-29T18:30:00.000-05:00 2020-01-29T21:30:00.000-05:00 Join other game writers and narrative designers for a cozy get together every month! We'll chat about our work, offer practical solutions to problems, and share games-writing war stories on the last Wednesday of every month. No pressure to bring any writing – this writing circle and social is meant to be a place to connect games writers in a collaborative and supportive environment. With Kaitlin Tremblay and Gillian Blekkenhorst https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1537804309-1877838680582b894642bo.jpg CONFIRMED
January 29, 6:30 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Charles Street Video

CSV Holiday Video Chuck 2019!

2019-12-12T18:30:00.000-05:00 2019-12-12T22:00:00.000-05:00 CSV members are invited to bring along short film, video and interactive work to showcase. Video Chuck is a chance to bring together our community, socialize, network, and highlight the work of our members. After the screenings, we chat, mingle, and share some snacks. All are welcome, and it’s always free! If you've got work you'd like to share at the HOLIDAY VIDEO CHUCK please email [greg@charlesstreetvideo.com](mailto://greg@charlesstreetvideo.com). https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1531776341-pacific-oyster-large-woy-woy-fishermens-wharf-manettas-seafood-market.jpg CONFIRMED
December 12, 6:30 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Low Poly 3D Modeling with Blender 2.8 – Part 2

2019-12-07T13:00:00.000-05:00 2019-12-07T16:00:00.000-05:00 Love the look of low-poly? Want to get started with making 3D art for games in a supportive, artist-centered environment? Honking pumped to make the next Untitled Goose Game? Join us for a two-part hands-on workshop and learn from artist Kaitlyn Dougon! In the first lesson, participants will learn about how accessible Blender 2.8 is, some of its many, many functions and begin crafting a small table setting using basic shapes. Participants will be provided with a Blender file with a dining room scene, complete with assets Kaitlyn has made that can be taken apart and inspected, and UV unwrapping textures she uses. Who this workshop is for: + Beginners! + You tried Blender before and thought it was sent from heck to end you. + You've never touched 3D modeling software before and want to try + You're looking to add to your skill collection https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1573591093-screen2560x14402019-08-0315-04-04-925x695.png CONFIRMED
December 7, 1:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Low Poly 3D Modeling with Blender 2.8 – Part 1

2019-11-30T13:00:00.000-05:00 2019-11-30T16:00:00.000-05:00 Love the look of low-poly? Want to get started with making 3D art for games in a supportive, artist-centered environment? Honking pumped to make the next Untitled Goose Game? Join us for a two-part hands-on workshop and learn from artist Kaitlyn Dougon! In the first lesson, participants will learn about how accessible Blender 2.8 is, some of its many, many functions and begin crafting a small table setting using basic shapes. Participants will be provided with a Blender file with a dining room scene, complete with assets Kaitlyn has made that can be taken apart and inspected, and UV unwrapping textures she uses. Who this workshop is for: + Beginners! + You tried Blender before and thought it was sent from heck to end you. + You've never touched 3D modeling software before and want to try + You're looking to add to your skill collection https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1573591093-screen2560x14402019-08-0315-04-04-925x695.png CONFIRMED
November 30, 1:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games

Intro to Tabletop Roleplaying Games

2019-11-25T18:00:00.000-05:00 2019-11-25T22:00:00.000-05:00 From Dungeons and Dragons to The Fall of Magic – an overview and exploration of tabletop roleplaying games as a medium. Come join Dames Making Games and Shel Kahn to learn, discuss and get a little hands on experience with the wide range of tabletop role playing games in this interactive talk. Designed to welcome folks new to the medium and also be thorough enough to be a worthwhile exploration for experienced roleplayers and gms. No supplies needed from home – just bring your curiosity and willingness to try a few new things! Refreshments will be provided. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1568918795-vscocamshare-ig.jpg CONFIRMED
November 25, 6:00 PM
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Native Women in the Arts

Inaabandam Symposium

2020-01-17T17:00:00.000-05:00 2020-01-19T19:00:00.000-05:00 The Inaabandam symposium will foreground issues of concern and interest to Indigenous Women and Gender Marginalized artists from multiple disciplines including film, performing arts, visual art, and customary practices. Inaabandam will feature open teachings with elders, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, receptions, and screenings. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1572892445-https-cdn-evbuc-comimages789772772010882922131original-20191031-200752.jpg CONFIRMED
January 17–19
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Trinity Square Video & Or Gallery

Bodies Borders Fields Symposium

2019-11-22T10:00:00.000-05:00 2019-11-24T18:00:00.000-05:00 Convened by Denise Ryner in collaboration with Yaniya Lee, Bodies Borders Fields is a free public symposium that re-imagines a 1967 conversation about blackness to generate a larger discourse for the contemporary moment around blackness and fugitivity as represented in critical art practices today. CHRISTINA BATTLE / RAYMOND BOISJOLY / DEANNA BOWEN / JOSHUA CHAMBERS-LETSON / KEYON GASKIN / CHE GOSSETT / STEFFANI JEMISON / AISHA SASHA JOHN / JESSICA LYNNE / CHARMAINE NELSON / M. NOURBESE PHILIP/ TINA POST / KRYS VERRALL / KANDIS WILLIAMS Bodies Borders Fields is a collaborative presentation of Trinity Square Video and Or Gallery with support from the Consulate General of France in Vancouver, OCADU, the Toronto Media Arts Centre and the Canada Council for the Arts Sector Innovation Grant. The symposium is co-convened by Denise Ryner and Yaniya Lee with organizational support by Emily Fitzpatrick and Karina Iskandarsjah. Design by Sameer Farooq. A “simultaneous conversation” took place on August 16, 1967 between seven speakers in Toronto and New York with the cooperation of Bell Telephone Company, the CBC and artscanada magazine (formerly Canadian Art). This cross-border conversation was recorded and published in that year’s October issue of artscanada which was dedicated to ‘black’ as a concept, painterly medium, symbol as well as socio-political category, expression and status. Bodies Borders Fields, is a series of events that conversation. Responding to an absence of black experience in discussions between the 1967 panelists, an absence that has since been examined by writers Fred Moten, Krys Verrall and others, Bodies Borders Fields will dislocate the original panel discussion to contemporary contexts and representations of black and blackness in sound, performance and visual culture with respect to black social life and expression. Participants have a stake in contemporary discourses and readings of black and blackness as a signifier as well as a lived-experience shared by generations of the black diaspora. Bodies Borders Fields supports ongoing and future discussions of blackness as an ever shifting, circulating and transforming factor for the survival and destabilization of colonial systems and institutions. All roundtables, talks and panels are free and open to the public. Registration required for workshops. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1571241190-bbf-horizontal-800x246.jpg CONFIRMED
November 22–24
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON
Dames Making Games + Interactive Ontario and the Cultural Human Resources Council

Arts Futures 2019: Immersive Technology as an Artistic Medium

2019-11-25T10:00:00.000-05:00 2019-11-29T18:00:00.000-05:00 _A weeklong intensive program on virtual reality production_ Virtual reality offers tremendous potential for the creation of artistic works and narratives. This program will help artists and digital producers across all disciplines take advantage of the opportunities for storytelling and audience engagement offered by immersive technology. 15 participants from across Canada will spend five days in Toronto undertaking an intensive program of hands-on workshops on virtual reality production and distribution as the Arts Futures 2019 cohort. https://www.datocms-assets.com/5128/1555532790-caminadoporsalaviroo.png CONFIRMED
November 25–29
Toronto Media Arts Centre
32 Lisgar Street
Toronto
ON

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