YouTube Space is part of a wave of pride in Toronto’s creative potential
In April, the world’s ninth YouTube Space opened at George Brown’s school of design. As YouTubers in Toronto begin to use the studio, plans are underway to enhance the involvement of George Brown students in the space.
Mark Swierszcz, manager of Toronto’s YouTube Space, aims to replicate the strategy at Mumbai’s YouTube Space, where Whispering Woods, a local media school, has woven its school programs around the studio. In a release, George Brown president Anne Sado said she expects students and staff from the college to collaborate with YouTube on applied research in the future.
YouTube creators require a minimum of 10,000 subscribers to make original content using the studios. With 10,000 subscribers, creators can also access the space’s resources to learn how to enhance their video and production quality. YouTubers with 1000 subscribers and above are welcome to attend social events organized by the space.
Graeme Kondruss, manager of academic space planning and design, and his team of student designers used TTC streetcars as inspiration for the decor. The main wall in the space features pixelated streetcars, linking YouTube’s digital content theme while incorporating some Toronto flare in the design.
Swierszcz believes the success and hometown pride of Drake is helping Toronto’s creators take pride in their city. He said that creators in Toronto are now less likely to move to Los Angeles to hone their craft than in previous years.
The YouTube Space was built where the school previously had photo labs. To make up for the lost space, Kondruss said George Brown is expanding to more floors in the school of design and resources will not be affected.
The studio has seen a positive response from George Brown staff. Heather Daam, academic coordinator at the institute without boundaries, believes this will raise the profile of George Brown, especially among the global youth. “It puts us on the map of the digital spectrum,” added Nastaran Dadashi, research coordinator at the institute without boundaries.
