A 3D scene of a virtual world with bamboo plants and geometric shapes. Text overlay reads Digital Arts Camp for Youth

Digital Arts Camp for Youth

March 10 - 14, 2025

10 AM - 5 PM EST

Overview

Digital Arts Camp for Youth is a week-long program that provides an opportunity for queer and/or racialized youth* aged 13-17 to gain hands-on experience with 3D worldbuilding and sound design.

Under the guidance of professional multimedia artists and musicians, participants will collaborate to build virtual 3D worlds and produce original sound art or electronic music compositions. Participants will learn how to import, customize, and combine text, images, video, and audio in virtual space. 

We will complete exercises to better understand how audio and non-linear media interact and also explore the process of playtesting and iteration. Participants have the option to work independently or together in small groups to produce a live interactive, 3D world that can be visited and experienced at the end of the program. 

This is an in-person workshop offered at Digital Arts Resource Centre (67 Nicholas St, Ottawa).

*Registration for this program is reserved for queer and/or racialized youth aged 13-17

Target Audience

Queer and/or racialized youth with an interest in media art, game art, worldbuilding, sound design, or audio production.

Outline

Worldbuilding in New Art City:

What is worldbuilding?

Exploring the possibilities of virtual world creation using New Art City as a toolkit

Exercises in worldbuilding for theme generation

How to create a world in New Art City

How to add text, images, photos, videos, and audio clips in New Art City

How to import and animate 3D assets

Playtesting

Electronic Music Production:

How do compositions and sound add to a world to create a more immersive experience?

Introduction to Ableton Live

How to navigate your workstation, browse sounds, and use plugins

How to write parts and arrange tracks in Ableton Live

How to use a MIDI controller

Creating a short piece or multiple sounds to import into a virtual world

Schedule

March 10 – Welcome / 3D Worldbuilding Introduction / Lessons and Exercises

March 11 – Music Production Lessons and Exercises

March 12 – Worldbuilding Lessons and Exercises

March 13 – Worldbuilding Assembling Music in Worlds

March 14 – Finalizing Projects

Materials Required

All equipment and software required for Digital Arts Camp will be provided by DARC.

Instructors

Mercedes Ventura (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Odawa/Ottawa, Ontario. Her work blends autobiography and fiction to explore themes of identity, technology, and the digital age, using mediums like web-based art, sculpture, and photographic self-portraiture. Mercedes holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa and has exhibited their work in galleries and artist-run centers across the Odawa/Ottawa-Gatineau region and Tkaronto/Toronto.

Beyond her artistic practice, Mercedes has experience in community engagement and youth programming. They have organized and run camps and after-school activities for youth fostering creativity, self expression, and play among young participants. Mercedes is excited to use her skills and passion to guide participants in the upcoming Digital Arts Camp for Youth to create meaningful, tech-driven art.

Yolande Laroche (she/they) is a franco Taiwanese-Canadian clarinetist, keyboardist, singer-songwriter and producer established in Gatineau, Quebec. She holds a Bachelor degree in Music and Minor in Arts Administration from the University of Ottawa. She is a core member of art-pop group Pony Girl, experimental sound-art trio KAY-fayb and leads her solo project Orchidae who will soon be releasing her debut album in spring 2025. Yolande works as a clarinet teacher and brings her classical training to her world of contemporary music as a freelance touring and session musician accompanying artists such as Tess Roby, Nick Schofield, Rayannah, Luka Kuplowski and Cedric Noel.

About DARC's Workshops

Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC) provides training in a varied range of disciplines related to filmmaking and media art while making a dedicated effort to create a pathway to an intersectional education. We aspire to be a platform for creative support and community building through active participation and exchange of knowledge. Our workshops and courses explore the ways in which technical and conceptual frameworks can be used as tools to improve your creative practice. DARC’s educational offerings are open to members and the general public engaged in the creation of non-commercial, independent productions and work.

Who Is Eligible to Register for Workshops?

Workshops are open to Digital Arts Resource Centre members and the general public engaged in the creation of non-commercial, independent productions and work (Non-commercial, independent productions are productions for which the director retains copyright and artistic control, and for which the production is neither being produced for a client nor for the purpose of advertising or promotion).

Who Is Ineligible for Workshops?

Digital Arts Resource Centre does not offer our workshops to persons employed by any government body or any major corporation if the resources are being used to facilitate benefit for one’s employer or for corporate professional development within one of these kinds of organizations. Our workshops are heavily subsidized as they are available only for independent artists/learners who cannot typically afford to take corporate rate workshops. You can find non-subsidized workshops from our friends at SPAO or Henry’s.

Workshop Pricing

DARC’s single-session online workshops are offered on a sliding scale, meaning individuals determine their own fee based on what they can afford.

We understand that everyone’s situation is different. When registering for workshops, we ask that you honestly examine your privilege (i.e. education, generational wealth, parental or community support, partnership status, and other circumstances that may provide a safety net when financial setbacks occur).

DARC also offers a no cost ticket option if access to funds is a barrier to participation. For more information please email us.

Accessibility

All doors at DARC have accessibility buttons to press for automatic entry. DARC is located on the main floor (one story above ground) of the Arts Court building. DARC’s main entrance is located at 67 Nicholas Street which is fully wheelchair accessible. Alternate wheelchair-accessible entry is available through 2 Daly Ave at the Arts Court main entrance or the Ottawa Art Gallery. Elevator access is available from 9AM – 11PM.

 

DARC staff are available and happy to assist with all inquiries and requests regarding physical access. We also welcome inquiry, feedback, and resources regarding accessibility and accessibility improvement by phone (613.238.7648 x. 6) or by email at access@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca.

Cancellation

DARC is unable to provide course attendee refunds for cancellations. DARC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses if necessary.