Red River College Polytechnic has launched a new hub focused on media arts training, made possible by a $15-million gift to the Winnipeg college.
The donation from the Schroeder Foundation allowed the college to open the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts,� which will focus on programs in creative industries such as communications, digital media and film production.
The gift from the philanthropic organization — founded by Winnipeggers Walter and Maria Schroeder — is historic, RRC Polytech president and CEO Fred Meier said during a Thursday news conference at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, the college’s innovation hub at its Exchange District campus.
“It’s a gift that will remove barriers to education for countless creative thinkers in Winnipeg and throughout our province,” Meier said.
The opening of the new institute is one part of a five-year strategic plan the college announced in 2021, which outlined priorities that include deepening partnerships with businesses and communities.
“The Schroeder Institute is exactly that,” said Meier. “A partnership that strengthens Manitoba’s economic, social, environment and cultural prosperity.
“We’re embarking on a new frontier of arts education in Manitoba.”
Bringing media industry jobs to Manitoba
The Schroeder Institute currently has 12 core programs, including long-standing RRC Polytech programs like creative communications, graphic design and professional photography, along with newer courses in fields like digital film production and video game design.
Two new programs focused on the entertainment industry — in entertainment production management and animation — are expected to launch next fall, the college said.
The school will also launch micro-credential programs meant for currently working entertainment industry professionals who want to upgrade their skills.
Tapping into Manitoba’s growing film and media production industries is part of the idea behind the Schroeder Institute, the college said.
The institute will open up new research opportunities, said Meier, including working with industry partners on different ways to leverage artificial intelligence to create media, how to use virtual reality in productions, and exploring ways to reduce the carbon footprint of film productions, like using renewable energy on film sets.
“This is an exciting new application of our expertise, and we look forward to engaging with partners in Manitoba’s art sector on new frontiers of research and development,” said Meier.
The institute will also help to create pathways to RRC for high school students like those in Sisler High’s Create program — an entertainment arts program that helps students learn digital media, motion picture and graphic design skills.
“They’ll have advance standing in RRC Polytech programs, leading to more direct entry and quicker graduation,” said Meier.
The Schroeder Foundation has previously launched initiatives to help students in the Create program, including partnering with the Vancouver Film School to provide Sisler graduates with scholarships, and funding travel for Sisler students to Los Angeles to pitch animation projects to major media companies such as Disney and Nickelodeon.
Walter Schroeder said Thursday part of the reason for his foundation’s donation to RRC Polytech is to invest in the digital industry in Manitoba, so graduates from the college’s programs and others like Sisler’s Create don’t have to leave the province for jobs.
“My aim is to bring Disney and Nickelodeon and other companies to Winnipeg, on a virtual basis, and open up an office here and employ the people right here in Winnipeg,” Schroeder said at Thursday’s news conference.
“Hopefully we’re going to create jobs and make you the top digital centre in Canada.”
He also issued a funding challenge to the province.
“We’re giving $15 million — why don’t you match it?” he said.
RRC Polytech is launching a new institute of entertainment and media arts. It’s named after the Schroeder Foundation which donated $15M. It’s the largest gift the college has ever received.