CREATE at Wacom INK

Connected Ink is an event hosted by Wacom that collects in person and online speakers around the world to discuss human creativity, imagination, and curiosity. It will take place in Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Düsseldorf, and Portland over a period of two weeks from November 6 to 19. This year, for Connected Ink 2022, Sisler CREATE has the pleasure of being invited and taking part in this global discussion.

CREATE has three speakers lined up, Jamie Leduc the department head of CREATE, along with post-high students Xierra Cansino and Ivan Abrasaldo to talk about the program, their experiences as artists, and what makes it unique.

Their panel will take place on November 17, 2022 at 7:30pm. I can be viewed live or as an after-recording at:


Description: Connected Ink is an event that creates a space for continued exploration of the future of human creativity by asking questions, sharing thoughts and inspiring new ideas. Established as an event of ‘Creative Chaos’, imaginative and curious people from all walks of life come together and share surprising discoveries, unique perspectives, and immersive expressions at the convergence of art, education, science and technology.


Takeaways from SISLER Create’s Connected Ink 2022 Education Session

By Abeni Jones |

April 5, 2023

Sisler’s CREATE program is an entertainment arts training program located at Sisler High School, Winnipeg School Division. Founded in 2015, the program provides high school and post-high students with educational and career pathways to the creative industries in Canada and worldwide. Students in the CREATE Program build foundational skills with hardware and software while using a wide range of creative toolsets, including Wacom devices.

During Connected Ink 2022, Wacom hosted a panel discussion featuring two educators who, combined, have secured over $3.5M in funding to support their creative CTE programs — Matthew Waynee, a film and animation professor in LAUSD, and Jamie LeDuc, an animation teacher and the department head of the CREATE program. It also featured two students from the Sisler CREATE program.

In the session, they shared the genesis of their media arts programs, the program’s industry mentorship & internship opportunities, and how it brings job-readiness into focus for students. The educators gave practical advice for how educators can create or expand film, animation and game design programs and gave tips & tricks for securing funding, and the students shared their experiences.

Check out the recording of the session below, as well as some takeaways from the session from Wacom’s Education Specialist.

Four key themes for growing CTE programs and opportunities for students:

Patience:

  • Start small, and build your internship, mentorships, and apprentice opportunities slowly
  • Industry-focused programs need nurturing just like students do
  • Be flexible about the form that support can take

Partnerships:

  • Build community-based partnerships with the arts organizations nearby, so these organizations can learn about your school, your programs, and your students’ needs, talents, and strengths
  • Recognize, promote, and thank your partners publicly
  • Engage your partners in the creation of opportunities for students
  • Use partnerships to introduce students to a range of careers, career paths and specialties in arts-connected fields

Persistence:

  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to creative companies/organizations, like Wacom, to make introductions, build relationships, and ask for support

Passion:

  • Look for unique opportunities (e.g., dual enrollment for high students in college courses in art, animation, or other creative fields)
  • Use “industry-standard” tools, like Wacom products, and professional-level practices to help students build career-ready skills in creative fields
  • Use partnerships to introduce students to a range of careers, career paths and specialties in arts-connected fields