In April 2022, Halifax Public Libraries announced a Call for Applications for its new Artists & Innovators in Residence program and received many outstanding submissions. We are thrilled to be sharing news of the talented individuals who will be serving as Artists & Innovators in Residence, and are signing on to share their talents and ideas with our wider community in the months to come.
Follow along here, for the latest news and announcements in the series.
Introducing Israel Ekanem
Artist & Innovator in Residence, Fall 2022
This blog post will be kept up-to-date with Israel’s latest work and events across all Library branches, collaborations, and ideas. Check back often!
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About Israel Ekanem
"A story, properly told, can change the world. One person at a time."
Israel Ekanem (he/they) is a Storyteller, Director, and Podcaster working in Halifax. He has significant filmmaking and teaching experience and has worked with Centre for Art Tapes, Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, and the MacPhee Centre.
They are the creative energy behind Ubuntu Media, opens a new window. Storytelling has been their passion for years.
The stories Isreal initially shared were spoken or written, but he always felt that the camera would give the stories more life. He was introduced to the art of storytelling by his grandmother, Lydia and he fell in love with it. He got a camcorder as a birthday gift and has been filming and sharing stories ever since. His work includes the award-winning films We Watched The Clouds Form Shapes, Drown The Lovers, Dearg, and Tale of the Man Who Whispered To Flowers.
He hopes to keep telling stories for as long as he lives.
Follow along
- Find Israel on Instagram at @israeliekanem, opens a new window and Twitter at @israeliekanem, opens a new window.
- Follow #AIIRHfxPubLib on Instagram and Twitter for the latest posts.
- Explore Ubuntu Media's website, opens a new window.
- More Links (LinkTree, opens a new window).
About My Podcast Story
Israel believes in the power of podcasting as a highly accessible and popular format through which people of all ages and abilities can tell powerful personal stories.
"Podcasting is beautiful. It allows anyone to share their story."
Throughout Israel's residency, he says you can expect a warm, kind, and open environment to learn about stories, create stories, and embrace podcasting.
This project will focus on supporting community members as they tell their stories through a self-guided video course, one-on-one instruction in branches and communities, and the creation of podcast kits for use throughout Halifax Public Libraries.
Israel will take course participants through 10 steps of his podcasting process—from discovering your "why," to planning story structure, to understanding gear, through to distribution and marketing. One-on-one sessions will be available along with feedback from Israel and your podcasting peers.
Events
Israel's event series has concluded. You can continue your learning with their podcasting how-to videos below!
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