African Canadian Livestream Series
Using video live streaming, virtual reality, and augmented reality, we can create immersive experiences that amplify Black Canadian voices in the arts. Through these technologies, African Canadian perspectives gain visibility and challenge systemic barriers, helping to facilitate discoverability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion in music and the arts sector.
Our intended impact is to increase the opportunity, collaboration, and discoverability of African Canadian music and artists by Video live streaming, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). The 3 technologies offer sustainable, achievable transformative opportunities for Black Canadian music and musicians to achieve sectoral and cross-sectoral impact with current evolving technologies. The technologies are existing, deliverable and supported on different social media platforms on all devices.(smartphone, tablet, computer, TV) Live streaming provides immediate access to performances, breaking down geographical barriers and reaching wider audiences. This accessibility increases artist exposure, cultivates fan bases, drives up revenue (concerts, festivals, tourism) and fosters community engagement.
Virtual Reality (VR) immerses audiences in 3 dimensional interactive music experiences, transcends traditional concert limitations and offers innovative, unique storytelling possibilities.
Augmented Reality (AR) enhances live performances with visual enhancements, creating dynamic and engaging shows all from a user's smartphone. Together, these technologies can amplify Black Canadian music, elevating its cultural significance and fostering connections across sectors like education, tourism, and technology. Artists can even utilize VR to teach music history, promoting diversity and inclusion. Tourism industries can showcase Black Canadian music through VR experiences, attracting worldwide audiences to support local festivals and historic sites. Technology sectors can collaborate with musicians to develop AR-enhanced performances, pushing artistic boundaries and driving innovation. By embracing video live streaming, VR, and AR, Black Canadian music and musicians can achieve transformative impact, transcending boundaries, and shaping the future of the music industry.
Confirmed Curating Partners
Rich Coburn
Senior Manager of Community Partnerships and Programming Diversity, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Creator of BIPOC Voices.
Greg Gooding
General Manager, Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund, Board Member Jazz FM Radio Toronto.
Mark Campbell
Assistant professor of music and culture at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Lena Fankhauser
Canadian violist of Trinidadian-Swiss heritage born in Montreal. Member of the Advisory Council and Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mboya Nicholson
Pianist, composer, and instructor at MacEwen University in Edmonton.
Specializes in jazz history with a cultural context.
Research Partners
Dr. Camisha Sibblis
Director of the University of Windsor's Black Studies Institute.
Dr. Karilyn Crockett
Professor of Urban History, Public Policy & Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ethnographic Geographer.
Technical production partners
Yovanny Hernandez
Augmented Reality, Virtual Production Specialist, Yovanny also serves as an instructor of Virtual & Augmented Reality at Champlain College.
Alejandro Prieto
a producer specializing in Virtual Production, immersive 3D and Virtual Reality. His production company, Cajanegra Producciones, concentrates on Afro-Indigenous culture, history, and social justice.
Tom Kuo
an award-winning audio visual designer, curator, producer, technical director and installation artist. His many clients include: Black Lives Matter Canada, Creative Native Canada, Vancouver Mural Fest, Nuit Blanche Festival, In/Future Festival, OM Festival, and Culture Days.