Initiated in 1975 by a group of recent grads from the University of Guelph, Ed Video started their project in the hopes to enable the creation and exhibition of independent media art in Guelph. “Ed Video,” short for “Educational Video,” was established as Guelph’s only Artist Run Centre, and 37 years later, it still remains. As one of the oldest organizations of its kind in Canada, they strive to educate the Guelph community through all forms of media. “It is…unusual that a smaller city like Guelph has a media arts centre, which usually only exist in larger cities,” said Scott McGovern, Program Director at Ed Video Media Arts Centre.
The Ontarion spoke with McGovern about the history of the organization: “People take video for granted as cameras and computers are everywhere, but was an extremely exciting new medium in the 1970s for artists.” During this time, artists were drawn to the immediacy of video, and many sought out and experimented with it in different ways.
The idea of conceptual art was embraced in Guelph a lot earlier than most places, and that led to the use of video as an important element for the movement. “Traditionally, video was only used for commercial purposes, but Ed Video empowered individuals with the medium,” said McGovern. “There was a feeling that Guelph needed a place to learn about and experiment with video.”
Video equipment was quite expensive at this time, so Ed Video provided access to cameras, production equipment and editing programs, while also offering a support system for the community through training, social events and a year-long gallery program.
Displaying media art from all genres, Ed Video provides local, national and international artists a space to display their work. Each year, the gallery hosts between 20 and 30 exhibitions, screenings and events, and though their focus is on video, “all types of creativity are celebrated,” affirmed McGovern. As a result, the space is also used as a venue for concerts – often featuring musical acts who combine visual elements with their music.
Ed Video has also partnered with other art initiatives in Guelph, such as Kazoo!, Festival of Moving Media, CFRU, Silence, PS Guelph, and others.
Though they receive little municipal funding, which has created “huge challenges regarding stability, autonomy, and planning,” McGovern explained that they continue to try their best to utilize available resources by being creative and using what’s available in the best way possible.
Their present goals are to “promote the creation, exhibition, and appreciation of all form of media art. We wish to stay true to what Artist Run Centres were created to be, and offer opportunities for those with alternative voices to be heard,” stated McGovern.
Since their medium is naturally invested in technology, they consistently look for ways in which technology can offer a new venue to be creative. McGovern said of what lies ahead that “innovative new methods to teach and exhibit video will be embraced as technology evolves in the future.”