The Pulse: Feb. 10, 2023

The Edmonton Screen Industries Office is seeking permission to use a $4-million fund to build capacity in the creative industries rather than investing in productions with the expectation of financial returns.

The change, described in a report to go before city council's executive committee on Feb. 15, would allow the fund to have "a more enduring effect," said Tom Viinikka, CEO of the ESIO, which supports the creation of film, television, and interactive digital media in Edmonton.

"Our goal is not to make money," Viinikka told Taproot. "It's to make an industry that then makes money."

The Edmonton Screen Media Fund (ESMF), which was established in 2018, has been structured like a venture capital fund, investing in productions that seem most likely to be successful, in hopes that the returns from a few big winners will more than cover the losses on projects that don't work out.

The ESIO wants to replace it with the Strategic Initiatives Fund (SIF), which would invest in infrastructure to support local creatives and attract foreign producers; leverage other financing to support the creation of intellectual property; and help local talent develop skills and commercialize products. Administration supports the move, which won't cost any money but requires council approval.

As the ESIO's report puts it, "we want to amplify our ability to create impact by moving from investing in individual projects to investing in things that will create increased opportunity and growth for many projects at a time."

Screen industry projects in Edmonton are having a bit of a moment, with the runaway success of Skinamarink, a local production that has earned 100 times its crowdfunded budget of $15,000; the high profile of HBO's The Last of Us, part of which was shot in Edmonton; and massive anticipation of Nightingale, a steampunk-infused survival crafting title in production at Inflexion Games.

Does the new funding structure mean we'll see more Skinamarinks? "That would be the hope," said Viinikka, attributing the film's success to the creative team that found ways to spend time together and mess around with unique ideas. If the SIF can help others find that kind of time and space, more great work will emerge, he said.

• An internal Alberta Health Services report called "Inpatient Bed Deficit Projections," which details Edmonton's hospital bed shortage, says the Edmonton zone has been short around 500 beds since 2016 and, according to some projections, is on track to be short 3,000 beds by 2036. The report, which was obtained by CTV News, is part of the South Edmonton Hospital project and suggests the facility should be built immediately, although the 500 additional beds it would add would still leave Edmonton with a major shortage. Separate data obtained by CTV News showed that all four of Edmonton's adult hospitals had occupancy rates over 90% from January to November 2022, with the University of Alberta Hospital reaching 108% that November.
• City administration is recommending five Edmonton groups to receive grants from the $1.174-million Anti-Racism Community Safety Fund to support anti-racism initiatives. If council approves the recommended recipients later this month, the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council, the Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton region, and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers would each receive $250,000, while the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues would receive $178,000 and the Alberta Workers Association would receive $246,000. The fund is part of the city's anti-racism strategy, one of the first initiatives council agreed to after being elected in October 2021.
• The Edmonton Police Service and its partner Accident Support Services International announced changes to improve service at the city's two collision reporting centres, which have been the only place for drivers to report crashes since police opened them in September 2022. The changes include adding more kiosks, bringing the staff total at both centres from 25 to 60, and expediting the process for tow truck drivers.
• Ward pihêsiwin Coun. Tim Cartmell hosted an online town hall to gather concerns and feedback about snow and ice control to share with city administration. The two-hour event attracted dozens of residents frustrated over a lack of signage about winter parking bans — which has led to some people being ticketed — the frequency of clearing, and more. Cartmell said he would tell administration to be "very, very clear" about when parking bans are happening and how the city is notifying people.
• The Edmonton Valley Zoo is under investigation by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) for allegedly failing to meet industry standards and breaking animal protection laws. The investigation stems from a complaint by the animal law advocacy organization Animal Justice, which cited a report attached to the zoo's budget funding request to city council last year that said a number of animal enclosures didn't meet CAZA standards. Animal Justice called the conditions, which include a lack of ventilation for Lucy the Elephant, "disturbing." Gary Dewar, the zoo's director, denied the zoo is falling below CAZA standards and welcomed the investigation, although he earlier confirmed to Postmedia he had personally signed off on the council report.
• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi appeared on Global News for the monthly Civic Matters segment, where he discussed the province's unequal treatment of Edmonton and Calgary, the state of downtown, addressing root causes of social disorder with permanently supported housing units, and the recent closure of Google's DeepMind office downtown.
• The Bakersfield Condors, an American Hockey League (AHL) team owned by the Oilers Entertainment Group since Daryl Katz bought them in 2014, renewed a lease at the Mechanics Bank Arena. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson were both formerly with the Condors organization, along with a number of NHL players.
• Natalie Paquin and Graham Pangrass, locals who renovated a post-war home in Central Edmonton using vintage and antique furnishings, were featured in an article by HGTV showcasing their home's transformation into a "cozy city cottage."
• The provincial government said that one million Albertans are "enrolled and scheduled to receive" the first of six $100 affordability payments. On Jan. 31, 575,000 Albertans received their first $100 via direct deposit or cheque.

This weekend sees the opening of Edmonton's longest-running winter festival, along with a rocking ballet, a community exhibition of art, a celebration of women in science, a symphonic concert, and Ukrainian dance.

• Feb. 10: Opening day of the Silver Skate Festival at Hawrelak Park
• Feb. 10-11: Alberta Ballet: Love Rocks at the Jubilee Auditorium
• Feb. 11, 4pm: Opening Reception for Open Walls at the Bleeding Heart Art Space
• Feb. 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science at the TELUS World of Science
• Feb. 12, 2pm: Stars and Preludes with the University of Alberta Symphony Orchestra at Convocation Hall
• Feb. 12, 2pm: Shumka School of Dance Winter Concert at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Find even more things to do in the Arts Roundup.

Photo: The Silver Skate Festival celebrates all kinds of winter fun at Hawrelak Park until Feb. 20. (Marc J Chalifoux).