For immediate release
March 29, 2004

Banff New Media Institute launches accelerator program in Calgary

You’re invited to a luncheon to celebrate the launch of the Banff New Media Institute’s Accelerator Program, a fast-track incubation environment for promising new media companies.

With a contribution of $450,000 from Western Economic Diversification, the Banff New Media Institute at The Banff Centre will launch a program to help new media companies reach the next level of success. The Accelerator program will help to build emerging businesses through workshops and mentoring in areas including marketing, budgeting, financing, production and creative development. The program will also foster networking among small businesses to create alliances to bid on larger, more complex projects.

“The Banff Centre strongly believes that artists and scientists share the same spirit of creativity and innovation,” says Mary Hofstetter, president and CEO of The Banff Centre. “Through the Accelerator program, the Banff New Media Institute will foster creative dialogue in art, research, and business opportunities for new media companies.”

The Banff New Media Institute (BNMI) is a world-class research and content innovation centre which has been at the crossroads of culture and technology for 15 years. Working with key government and industry partners at The Banff Centre, BNMI provides research opportunities, summits, prototype labs, workshops, partnerships, project commissions, academic exchanges, and business incubation. It is also home to HorizonZero, Canada’s online digital art and culture magazine.

Sara Diamond is the artistic director and executive producer of Media & Visual Arts, and director of research at The Banff Centre. An award-winning artist, educator, and curator, she’s led the Banff New Media Institute since its inception in 1995, and also oversees collaborations with the Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery and The Banff Centre’s new A(rt) R(esearch) & T(echnology) Advanced Visualization lab.

Visit their website for more information on the Banff New Media Institute.

- 30 -