Unveiling a First Map of Montréal's Digital Creativity Ecosystem 

Yesterday, November 29, Printemps numérique unveiled the study Understanding and Valuing Montréal’s Digital Creativity Ecosystem: a Lever for Local Development and the International Reach of theMetropolis. By proposing a portrait of an ecosystem in motion, Printemps numérique is making available to all stakeholders a strategic diagnosis that will facilitate meetings, consultation and collaboration among industry, research and the arts. Suzanne Gouin, chair of the board of Printemps numérique, emphasized that the organization’s mission is not only to promote digitalcreativity, but also to connect the arts, industry and education sectors. Publishing this research reflects a desire to develop tools and mechanisms for collaboration across the sector and to fullyplay a federating role. Mehdi Benboubakeur, head of Printemps numérique, added that the study was carried out with a concern for transparency, for understanding the ecosystem and its dynamics, and for enabling a broader international deployment of Montréal.The report is intended as the beginning of a conversation, generating collaborations and initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem, support its local development andfacilitate its international reach.

The study identified several avenues for action. First, structure

stakeholder consultation. Breaking down sector silos 
and connecting them are key factors in accelerating Montréal’s positioning. At present, the interdependence of the different components of the digital creativity ecosystem is not sufficiently recognized or valued. It is essential to organize greater cohesion among the discourses and demands of the various stakeholders by stimulating the participation of artists and researchers, encouraging industry involvement and raising political

awareness. Second, activate intermediate spaces that promote a mix of
actors and functions. Creating regular meeting spaces and events would facilitate the pooling of resources and functions, including knowledge, products and skills. These networking and mediation spaces would also help identify bridges to audiences,especially younger ones. Third,

recognize the creative core.
Partnership strategies are lacking to connect digital arts with entrepreneurial, industrial and scientific sectors. Independent digital arts are underfunded and should be better recognized as a driver of creativity and a partner in research and development. Conglomerates could contribute more to the ecosystem’s development. It is also important to preserve Montréal’s creative core and community roots by supporting artists and artisans and

protecting industrial wastelands that
have become cultural hubs. Fourth, increase international visibility. Montréal’s international projection depends on its capacity to export commercially, but also in terms of visibility and influence. Resource-sharing efforts could help various stakeholders increase exports, be present in foreign markets and attract partners and audiences here. The study was carried out by Eva Quintas in spring 2016 with support from the MITACS Accelerate program and professors Laurent Simon and Serge Poisson-de Haro of HEC Montréal. Artist and arts-management consultant Eva Quintas is cofounder and vice-president of

the digital arts centre Agence TOPO. The study 

digital, an event
that brought together more than 200 people at the Canadian Centre for Architecture. #intersectionsis a new networking event series presented by Printemps numérique that gathers curious and passionate people around issues of digital transformation. The major partners of Printemps numérique. Produced

in association with Journal Métro,
Printemps numérique benefits from the support of ConcertationMontréal, Tourisme Montréal and La Vitrine.The project also receives financial support from theCity of Montréal, thanks to funding from the Government ofQuébec under the Montréal 2025 Agreement administered by the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine. About Printemps numérique. Printemps numérique introduces a

broad public to the
works of digital creators and attracts an international clientele through the scale and diversity of its programming. This initiative strengthens Montréal’s position as a creative capital, supports emerging practices and encourages collaborations among creation, production, presentation, research, industry, tourism and institutions such as museums and universities. For full details, consult the related page, event page, exhibition page and partner links provided here.