FAVA History:
FAVA formed as a society in October 1982. FAVA's first decade showed massive growth, expanding its scope as a film co-op to include video artists and video equipment. By 1985, FAVA was established with office space (in the same building that it still calls home), support staff, and ongoing support from all three levels of government. In 1986, FAVA began receiving modest support from the National Film Board, which it put towards juried grants to member filmmakers. Since 1990 (when the Edmonton chapter of Quickdraw Animation Society disbanded) FAVA has been the only artist-run media arts centre in Northern Alberta. In 1997, FAVA was granted charity status.
Since its inception, FAVA has enjoyed steady growth. It began with 16 artists in 1982. By 1990, the co-op had 70 members. Today, FAVA serves more than 400 members and artists: a number that is expected to continue increasing as more individuals discover the accessibility and potential of the media arts. FAVA has consistently evolved with the technological and artistic environment that its members work in. This is reflected in FAVA's expanding portfolio of equipment, services, classes, workshops, community outreach and programming initiatives.
FAVA is the only media arts cooperative in Northern Alberta, and as such serves filmmakers, video artists, new media artists, animators, video jammers, installation artists, audio artists and so on, throughout the region. Our members live in urban centres like Edmonton, rural towns like Didsbury and Olds and remote northern communities like Slave Lake and Athabasca. As the only resource of our kind in such a large region, we have ample opportunity to connect with, collaborate with and support a wide variety of arts organizations, community service organizations, festivals, educators and industry groups.
FAVA Sizzle:
FAVA is the quiche Lorraine of Edmonton culture. It started with sixteen good eggs. Over time we add a little cheese, a little meat. Bake it in the oven for 25 years with equal parts film and video. Serve it up with a dash of sexy. The Film and Video Arts Society Alberta is a not for profit artist run media arts co-op. It’s the place you go when you always dreamed of going to film school but never imagined what it would cost. We’re in the heart of downtown Edmonton and we offer equipment rentals, workshops, classes, screenings, and special events for the aspiring, garage studio bound, media artists, writers, animators, and film and video enthusiasts who never found their place in other support groups. Become a part of our online community at fava.ca, or come check us out in person. Share your story.
- Joel Higham (Script for CBC)
