Happy September, ghosties. 🍁

A few weeks ago we said we were putting the finishing touches on the next intake — here it is! And it's not like any cohort we've run before! You don't need an existing team – we're taking individual applications.

Applications are open for the Prairie Winter Studio Jam: ten weeks of Cooperative Foundations for individual game devs and media artists in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. It's free and online, and accessibility supports are available! Applications close Friday, October 16 at 11:59 pm CDT.

You don’t need to have plans to start a co-op, you don't need to know anything about co-ops. We put you in a small jam studio and you work with that group, with the guidance of two dedicated Peer Supports, for the whole ten weeks.

We focus on the hard stuff, and making it less scary by practicing – deciding things with people who disagree, converging on shared values, figuring out what fair compensation means for you, and writing down what you've agreed. Doing that with people you don't already know builds the muscle better than doing it with friends or existing teammates.

On the format: There are eight recorded video modules you watch on your own time, one live online session every week with your studio, a live (again, online… it’s all online) kickoff on November 18 and a wrap-up on January 27. On top of the core curriculum, we’ll have specifics on co-op legislation in all three provinces, incorporation pathways, provincial tax incentives, and regional funding.

To apply you need to live in MB, SK, or AB, be 18 or older, make games or media art (or want to), and be able to take part between November 18 and January 27. In our application, you can answer the questions in text, audio, or video, whichever is easiest for you. We can help with support workers, childcare, alternative formats, internet stipends, whatever you need. Please ask, we’d be thrilled to remove any barriers you might face in participating!

There's an info session on Wednesday, September 23, at noon in Alberta and Saskatchewan (1 pm in Manitoba). It's recorded if you can't make it. Register here. You can also book a chat about your application, or email [email protected] and we'll answer in writing.

If you're not in the Prairies, maybe you know someone who is? Send it to them! Hype them up about co-ops!🤝

Couple more things:

Not the target audience to participate but want to support and be part of the fun? We're hiring Peer Supports to run the jam studios. This is paid, part time, October to January, for people living in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Alberta and closes Friday, October 9.

Oh, and board applications close Friday, September 25 at 11:59pm Eastern, with the first election of directors at the continued annual meeting on October 27.

Cooperatively yours,

– eileen & jennie