Hello!
Creative Humanities is platform for applied research and innovation at Sheridan College. In 2016, the Creative Humanities was founded by Dr. Brandon McFarlane with the ambition of inspiring new approaches grounded in creative inquiry and critical innovation. We imagine optimistic futures for the humanities and higher education, and engage in the struggle work necessary to manifest those utopian visions in our everyday lives.
This website features our projects, celebrates the accomplishments of student researchers, and invites community members to reach out to explore opportunities for collaboration.
Projects
We’re mobilizing our expertise in creative problem solving, innovation management, and the humanities to solve pertinent challenges in higher education and the creative industries.
Children’s Book Jam 2021-22
A partnership between the School of Humanities and Creativity & School of Visual and Creative Arts which pilots a new model for the creation of illustrated children’s books that explore themes of social justice. Breaking from current industry practices, the publisher, author, and illustrator collaborate throughout the creative and publishing process.
Sheridan: Everybody’s Got a Story 2021-22
Inspired by the Covid-19 lockdown and the desire to foster a sense of community, this project asks Sheridan community members open-ended, emotion-driven questions to get to the heart of their stories. The narratives will be published in an online, interactive map which shows how people from around the world converge at Sheridan College to explore their creativity. Once campus reopens, the stories may also be shared in an installation at the Creative Campus Galleries.
Remaking Critical Theory 2020-21
A partnership between the School of Humanities and Creativity & the School of Visual and Creative Arts that synthesized innovation management and artistic practices to help undergraduates better understand critical theory, and apply insights to solve challenges pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusivity in their industries.
Mobilizing Social Innovation to Train the Next Generation of Theatre Entrepreneurs 2018-21
Partnered with the Toronto Fringe Festival to enhance and expand its Theatre Entrepreneurs’ Networking and Training (TENT) program. Researched and formalized curriculum to provide year-to-year efficiencies and enhance rigor. Applied Creative Problem Solving to eliminate factors that were preventing equity-seeking communities from participating in TENT programming and recommended models for long-term fiscal sustainability.
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Breaking Through Barriers to Gender Equity in Canadian Film 2018-19
Synthesized existing research to identify key obstacles to gender equity in the North American film and television sector. Three undergraduate researchers facilitated CPS sessions with Breakthroughs Film Festival’s Board of Directors to create the organization’s first strategic plan which reimagined the not-for-profit’s mandate from the perspective of intersectional feminism.
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Talent
Creative Humanities is an experiment in talent-orientated research. We’ve created new models that boost the career development of undergraduate students, regardless of their area of practice. Most humanities projects make ideas; we make talent.
Community & Collaboration in the Time of Social Distancing
Taylor Zantingh wanted to be part of something bigger than herself. Find out how her humanities research provided community and empowerment.
Get Inclusive
Faizal Eidoo is applying his creativity to make Toronto’s art sector more inclusive.
Choosing My Own Adventure
Sometimes the perfect opportunity doesn’t rush up to meet your while you’re looking for it. Robyn Miller shares how her humanities research experience helped her create her own opportunities.
Making Friends While Making a Difference
Lynne Li was looking to make friends after transferring to Sheridan. Learn how her new community is making a difference in Toronto’s theatre sector.
Leap of Faith
Victoria Webb’s professors and friends encouraged her to apply for a humanities research position. Find out how her leap of faith transformed her career.
Emerging from the Background
Aura Torres shares how humanities research helped her become a more confident and assertive filmmaker.
Using Art to Inspire
By using art to inspire those around her, Sarah is giving back to her community, one project at a time. Sarah gives her take on professional illustration.
Thinking Outside the Box
Creative thinking is possible in every field, and Ayesha Qamar is the perfect example. Even in computer coding, there is still room for imagination!
TENT Spotlight: Mike Rugo
Mike Rugo shares his take on UX design, and what its takes to succeed in the industry. Click to learn more about his journey in the field.
News
At the Crossroads of Critical Theory and Creative Practice
With Covid-19 turning the digital age into the virtual age, students and professors everywhere are adjusting to new ways of learning and engaging with education. Amidst this struggle, Dr. Alexander Hollenberg (Professor of Storytelling & Narrativity) wants to introduce new ways of approaching critical theory, content that typically feels “impenetrable”.
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Student Success Award
Congrats to Dr. Glenn Clifton (Professor of Literary Studies and Creative Writing) who received the 2020 Student Success Award for his outstanding contributions to undergraduate learning on the TENT project. Dr. Clifton facilitated debrief sessions with undergraduate researchers and helped them share their learnings through blog posts.
Entrepreneurship Series
Jacquelyn Ferguson (BA, Creative Writing & Publishing) helped us develop curriculum for TENT. She transformed the 12 units into a blog series that introduces the basics of art-based entrepreneurship. Are you ready to unleash your inner artrepreneur?
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Sheridan Students Take Centre Stage at Toronto Fringe
Oavkille News featured our project work at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival. “Sheridan College research students have a front row seat at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival, which kicks off July 3. Sheridan students are generating a buzz in Toronto’s theatre industry for their pioneering work in expanding Toronto Fringe’s Theatre Entrepreneurs’ Networking and Training (TENT) program.”
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Taking Care of Business
The Toronto Raptors aren’t the only ones bringing home hardware this spring: Victoria Webb (BBA Marketing Management) and Karly-Anna O’Brien (BBA Supply Chain Management 2019) won two major awards for their outstanding research. The Pilon School of Business all-stars have been applying their creativity and entrepreneurial know-how to train emerging producers in Toronto’s theatre community. These two exceptional women are slam dunking their way to success!
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Creative Humanities Featured in Curiosities
Find out how an ecceltic team of undergraduate researchers at Sheridan College are collaborating with Toronto Fringe to bring new ideas to the Theatre Entrepreneurs’ Networking & Training program. Together, they’re helping emerging producers thrive in the theatre business.
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New Opportunities for Toronto Artists
We designed and instructed innovation workshops for TENT & Toronto Fringe in July 2018. Find out what we did and what’s in store for fall 2018!
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TENT Collaboration Featured in Alchemy
The word spreads thanks to Brittany German’s pen. The collaboration’s lead wordsmith, German (BA, Creative Writing & Publishing) is raising awareness about the impact we’re bringing to Sheridan students and Toronto’s theatre community.
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Creative Problem Solving at the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals
Who doesn’t love a road trip? The mere suggestion invokes the idea of an adventure: discoveries to be unearthed, friendships formed, strengthened, deepened. All of this is exactly what happened when we took our collaboration with Toronto Fringe on the road one grey day in early November and headed west to the town of Windsor.
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Thank You!
We are grateful for the funding provided by Sheridan College and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
