HISTORY
In 1975 the Educational Video Creative Community Television project, more commonly known as Ed Video, was initiated by four graduates of the University of Guelph Fine Arts program.
They felt the need, as professional artists, for a community video resource centre. They aimed to provide access to equipment, as well as a catalyst for creative activity in the community. They recognized that most people, especially artists and community groups, had little or no access to the medium. The project was funded initially by a Local Initiatives Program Grant, and had artists teaching creative use of video in Guelph area schools and the wider community.
The following year, on June 21st, 1976, this group was incorporated as a non-profit organization. Founding Directors were Eric Cameron, Ian Easterbrook, Ronald Eyre, Peter Ferraro, Charlie Fox, Noel Harding and Gregory Hill. For many years, Ed Video was the only video and media arts centre of its kind between Toronto and Winnipeg, serving artists, independent producers and the general public in south-western Ontario.
During the 1980s the use of video amongst artists and the general public grew considerably, and the interest in producing video increased. Ed Video became Ed Video Media Arts Centre, reflecting its expanded role in the community. By the beginning of the 1990s, membership had grown to over a hundred, a significant leap from the original twenty members in the late 1970s. In 2005, Ed Video attained charitable status.
2006 marked 30 years of using video as a creative medium of expression and interaction with the community. Over the years, Ed Video has assisted in numerous projects with the Guelph International Film Festival, the Aboriginal Film and Video Art Alliance (Ontario), Guelph Arts Council, Native Indian/Inuit Photographer's Association (Hamilton), Inuit Art Foundation (Ottawa), OKalaKatiget Society (Nain, Labrador), Macdonald Stewart Art Centre (Guelph), Cambridge Art Gallery, the Wellington County Board of Education, the AIDS Committee of Guelph and Wellington County, Rogers Community Television, CFRU 93.3 FM Campus and Community Radio, Action Read Community Literacy Centre, Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, Guelph Native Women's Circle, First Nations Technical Institute and Guelph Community Health Centre.
Video and film productions by Ed Video members have been screened in numerous festivals and exhibitions nationally and internationally. Works produced through Ed Video have received many awards, including the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival in Germany and Best Experimental Video in the Athens Film and Video Festival (USA). Many members have had their work broadcast nationally. The work of senior artists associated with Ed Video is in the collections of national and international art galleries and museums. Ed Video continues to encourage creative excellence of video produced in this region by artists at all stages in their careers, and encourage audiences to appreciate contemporary Canadian and international independent video and media art.