What prompted Wacom to get involved?

Dave: Jamie Leduc, the founder of the CREATE Program and an animation instructor, was previously involved in the "Orange Tree Project" by Nickelodeon. The project allows high school graduates to receive guidance in animation production from Nickelodeon’s artists. I was inspired by this which led me to think of ways Wacom could get more involved with the project. Then, in 2020, Jamie started the CREATE Program at Sisler High School, and we were able to partner with them.

What kind of students participate in the CREATE Program?

Dave: Sisler High School is located in an economically challenged area, where many students cannot afford to purchase new computers or the necessary tools for creation. Additionally, many of the students involved in the CREATE Program are first-generation Canadians, with parents working multiple jobs, often taking care of their siblings, helping with household chores, and assuming various roles at home. The CREATE Program allows anyone to participate free of charge if they wish, and the classrooms are open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. It's a program where students can learn and work on their creations. An opportunity where they can hone their potential rather than wasting it, while providing a safe and supportive environment for learning.

Please tell us how Wacom supports the projects every year.

Dave: The CREATE Program is student-driven, meaning the students decide what projects they want to work on. Each academic year, the students collectively choose topics they want to create together and Wacom supports one of the annual projects the students decide upon.

During the 2022/2023 academic year, students created a webcomic called "Depth of Mind," in collaboration with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. This project focused on teenage mental health care and gave students the chance to learn about production environments – from creating timelines and making project lists to actual production. Additionally, Production Designer Jason Scheier serves as a project mentor which gave students the opportunity to learn from professionals working in the field.

Each project supports the students to have ownership over their ideas, while they also learn how to make their own decisions and collaborate with peers. For instance, if one student is responsible for background art, another may be in charge of character design. For the project to succeed, they need to cooperate to bring the idea to life. There are also opportunities for older students to support younger students, helping to build a team environment.

”Depth of Mind - To Dive into The Psyche” By CREATE FOR THE WORLD

Have there been any changes in the students as a result of the projects?

Dave: "Depth of Mind" focuses on themes such as fitting in at school, experiencing bullying, and finding inner strength. When speaking about the impact of the pandemic, many students talked about how difficult the social isolation was due to the missed school year. During the conversations, some tears were shed. As a result, they were able to arrive at ideas that everyone could empathize with. I believe it's because they're all creative. They have that common thread of creativity, which makes it quickly clear that they're much more similar than they are different. It might sound over the top, but I think engaging in creative acts is a form of therapy for them.

I can feel the students' growth at our monthly meetings as well. At the beginning of the new semester in September, some students were too shy to even look at the camera. However, by the end of the project, they were leading conversations, looking at Jason and me through the camera, and actively engaging with us. It’s truly moving.

The CREATE Program also plays an important role in supporting students' secondary education and career paths.

Dave: Especially for students facing economic difficulties, support for their career paths after completing the program is crucial. In November 2023, Wacom donated Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 to sixty students through a partnership with the Schroeder Foundation. The event was a surprise and when the donation was announced, cheers erupted throughout the classroom and some students even cried out of sheer emotion. Students who previously were limited to working in the classroom were now suddenly able to continue their work with professional equipment at home. One student who received a product of ours happily said through tears of joy, “I can continue learning so I can turn this into a career.” Most students dream of going to college or university, and this donation will help that vision become reality.