Main Project Contact:
Project Start Date:
2018
Project Name:
INNOVATE Centre for Arts, Crafts and Technology
Formerly: Arts, Crafts, & Technology Micro-manufacturing Centre (ACTMC)
Project Sites:
Find INNOVATE on the Canadian Foundation for Innovation Research Facilities Navigator HERE.
Overview:
The INNOVATE Centre for Arts, Crafts and Technology is located in Inuvik, Northwest Territories (NWT), and serves communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) and the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA). At the INNOVATE Centre for Arts, Crafts and Technology our vision is to create an affordable, inclusive and supportive environment for people of all ages and to provide them with necessary equipment and skills to create opportunities, earn better livelihoods, and contribute to a stronger economic ecosystem.
Mission:
The INNOVATE Centre for Arts, Crafts and Technology's mission is to provide a well-equipped facility and empower individuals with tools and techniques to create innovative, unique products that enable them to generate a livelihood and bring about socio-economic development in the region.
Values:
As a flagship makerspace for providing a vital space where technology and traditional arts merge to create better opportunities, our values include:
- Training and motivating local artists to get upskilled and become confident to start their businesses for improved livelihoods;
- Supporting and encouraging local communities by inviting them to learn, express their creativity and contribute to social and economic wellness; and
- Empowering local residents and inspiring innovative thinking through research and supporting Traditional Knowledge by using modern technology
Location:
The centre is located at 68 Veteran’s Way in Inuvik NT and serves the communities of the Beaufort Delta. To date, INNOVATE has delivered training and provided equipment access in Tuktoyaktuk, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and Ulukhaktok.
Methods:
INNOVATE has the following equipment available including training on all equipment and software:
- Direct colour UV printing
- CNC milling
- Laser engraving
- 3D printing
- Vinyl cutting
- Leatherworking
- Complete carpentry shop
- Silk screening
- Adobe Illustrator
- Computer lab with design software (Adobe Illustrator, V-Carve Pro, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software)
INNOVATE offers workshops, training, and materials/methods research supports on all equipment in the centre.
Front Space
Laser Engraver
Sewing Station
Woodworking Shop
External Partners:
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Government of the Northwest Territories – Industry Tourism and Investment
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Media:
Inuvik’s ACTMC rebrands as INNOVATE
Inuvik's micro-manufacturing centre creating items for essential workers during pandemic - CBC NEWS
Newsletters:
Gallery (made by ACTMC members):
We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Updated 2025