Testimonial
What it’s Like to Study at Montreal’s First Ever Creative Incubator
By Stephanie Coco Palermo
Last October, I became one of the first 22 creative professionals to enroll in Dawson College’s Venture Creation in the Creative and Cultural Industries Program.
Offered in partnership with iC MTL, a creative incubator located in the heart of Old Montreal, the program helps artists monetize their ideas and their talent to become creative entrepreneurs – the first ever program of its kind to be offered in Montreal.
Our cohort is a multidisciplinary creative dream team, with professional backgrounds in Advertising, Architecture, Audiovisual, Commercial and Fine Art Photography, Crafts, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Gastronomy, Multimedia, Music, Performing Arts, Publishing, Visual Arts and Writing. As such, we learn as much from each other as we do from our amazing teachers. But that’s not at all – we also have weekly guest speakers and receive personalized coaching and advice from our very own mentors, matched perfectly to our business needs.
There’s lots of work to do outside the classroom – just not the kind that keeps you in the library all night. Instead, our homework consists of interviewing prospective clients, booking business meetings, and attending networking events – including invitation-only events at the incubator with Montreal’s top creative entrepreneurs.
In the last few months of the program, we enter delivery mode – with access to our very own interns from Dawson’s marketing and computer science programs.
By the end of our 8-month program, we’ll earn an Attestation of College Studies – but more importantly, we’ll know how to develop, build, and pitch a business idea (we’re coming for you, Kevin O’Leary!).
You’d think a program of this calibre would cost a fortune – but because the program is offered through Dawson College, it’s tuition-free for residents of Quebec. As full time students, we also qualify for the loans and bursaries program.
So if you’re done with 9-5 grind and want to spread your creative wings –this is the program you’ve been waiting for. Take it from a current student and make 2017 the year you turn your passion into an entrepreneurial career.
To learn more about the program and the people you’ll be working with, register for the information session offered by Dawson College and iC MTL, held in room 4C.1 on Wednesday, April 5th at 6pm.
Stephanie Coco Palermo is a lifestyle blogger at VagabondHeels.com
