Jamie Bell
Interdisciplinary Arts
Connecting for Community
Interdisciplinary Arts and Community Development
Jamie Bell is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in media, communications, and community engagement within the arts and non-profit sectors. His expertise includes strategic communications, project management, and stakeholder engagement, making him an ideal candidate for leadership roles in these fields.
In his roles as Co-Founder and Executive Director of Art Borups Corners (2019-2024) and the Arviat Film Society (2010-2021), Jamie successfully secured funding for multiple initiatives through targeted grant writing, fostering growth and collaboration among local artists and students. His management style emphasizes mentorship and professional development, designing programs that bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary artistic practices to cultivate entrepreneurial skills in youth.
Jamie’s project management proficiency is demonstrated through collaborations with institutions like the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Minnesota Duluth and University of Victoria, leading initiatives focused on food security and economic reconciliation among Indigenous youth. He integrates participatory methodologies and community feedback to ensure projects align with community needs and cultural aspirations. As Public Affairs Officer for Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Research Institute (2008-2017), Jamie implemented innovative communication strategies that enhanced community interaction and awareness.
His strategic communications efforts have significantly boosted public awareness and engagement across various platforms. Jamie’s creative problem-solving and community outreach make him a valuable asset dedicated to empowering and uplifting communities through the arts. Additionally, his work with the OpenAI Researcher Access Program showcases his ability to merge traditional knowledge with advanced technologies, enhancing creative practices and fostering cultural expression among northern and Indigenous artists. Jamie continues to drive positive change and collaboration, positioning himself as a transformative leader in arts and community-focused initiatives.
Related Work Experience
Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Art Borups Corners and the Winnipeg Arts Incubator
Winnipeg, Manitoba | 2021-Present
As a co-founder and Artistic Director of Art Borups Corners, a transformative arts collective and community recreation initiative, significant expertise in communications, program management, and organizational capacity building was demonstrated. The role involved spearheading comprehensive arts administration, successfully acquiring more than $375,000 of program funding from 2022-2024 through strategic grant writing for various community-focused projects and administering an additional $120,000 advertising budget.
- Increased online engagement in 2024 to generate more than one million impressions and 100,000 visitors to program platforms. Incubating a diverse team atmosphere of more than 15 artists, students and community-based researchers, professional development for working artists was prioritized alongside mentorship opportunities for students and local residents. Innovative programming led to enhanced community engagement and empowerment, directly addressing youth development within the arts and recreation sectors.
- Collaborating with esteemed institutions, impactful initiatives were co-designed to tackle pressing challenges such as food security and entrepreneurship training for Indigenous youth. Engagement with multiple stakeholders, including Indigenous communities and academic institutions, underscored the commitment to participatory methodologies and the importance of integrating community needs with actionable outcomes.
- Notable achievements included the development of educational programs that emphasized research-driven approaches to cultural entrepreneurship and arts-based community development, resulting in strengthened collaborative networks and increased capacity for advocacy and economic resilience within the region. This approach nurtured artistic expression but also laid a sustainable foundation for ongoing research and program scalability in the arts and community sectors.
Co-Founder and Director, Arviat Film Society and Arviat Television
Arviat, Nunavut | 2010 – 2021
Co-founder and media mentor of the Arviat Film Society and Arviat Television, demonstrating a strong commitment to participatory media and performing arts training, enhancing community engagement and resilience through artistic expression with Inuit youth, artists and community members. Designing and delivering participatory arts, research and media skills training and mentorship programs that successfully integrated youth, artists, researchers, educators, Elders, and community members.
Delivering media arts and cultural programming to support training and establishing Arviat TV, in partnership with Isuma TV’s Digital Indigenous Democracy Project since November 2013.
- Supporting the design, delivery and collaboration for more than 50 community-based participatory research, arts, health and wellness initiatives, mentorship and media training for projects such as the Atii! Let’s Do It! Youth Media Team and Building Healthy Bodies, Positive Impacts of Climate Change and the Nanisiniq Arviat History Project.
- Harnessing film, television and performing arts for youth engagement, developing effective communication strategies, and supporting the securing of funding for community-driven programs involving groups of 25 ranging from 12-66 years of age.
Public Affairs Officer, Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Research Institute
Arviat/Iqaluit, Nunavut | 2008-2017
Reporting to the President, and providing support to the Board of Governors and Minister’s office. Establishing and leading the Public Affairs Office for Nunavut Arctic College, driving strategic communications, outreach, and marketing initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness of post-secondary education opportunities in Nunavut. Managing an advertising and marketing budget of $250,000, to develop and implement communications strategies and promotional campaigns for the College, ensuring consistent messaging to connect Inuit and Nunavummiut adult learners with educational resources and opportunities.
- Overseeing the development of a wide range of communications materials, including press releases, media briefings, social media content, Ministerial statements, speeches, and advertising, facilitating effective media engagement and maximizing positive coverage. Establishing the College’s social media presence, launching promotional campaigns that expanded community engagement and audience reach.
- Managing and coordinating representation of the College at various trade shows and career fairs, including the Nunavut Trade Show, Kivalliq Trade Show, and Kitikmeot Trade Shows. Engaging with local high schools, community organizations and events, to disseminate information to potential students about the diverse continuing education, diploma and degree programs available to them.
- Conducting thorough assessments of the College’s communication needs and formulating cohesive strategies for outreach to 25 remote communities in Nunavut. Compiling and publishing the College’s annual reports, research compendia on projects conducted throughout Nunavut, and contributing valuable insights to the broader educational community.
- Collaborating closely with College staff, the Department of Education, and various governmental, municipal and non-governmental organizations to create standardized communications strategies to enhance the College’s public relations. Providing clear and concise briefing materials and advice on communication-related issues to senior management and the Board of Governors, ensuring informed decision-making processes.
- Effectively managing the marketing and promotion of numerous post-secondary programs across the territory, including Nunavut Teacher Education, Nursing, Jewellery and Metalwork, Fur and Fashion Design, Environmental Technology, skilled trades initiatives and others, ensuring promotional materials reflecting the needs and aspirations of Nunavut residents. Monitoring outreach efforts and results for increased visibility and participation in educational opportunities for adult learners across the region.
Communications Manager; Policy, Planning and Communications
Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Government of Nunavut
Iqaluit, Nunavut | 2007-2008
Reporting to the Director of Policy, Planning and Communications and managing a budget of $130,000, responsibilities involved providing communications services aligned with the diverse linguistic and socio-economic needs of Nunavummiut.
- Strategic planning and execution of territory-wide communication campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and compliance regarding new federal air transportation identification requirements. Successfully led initiatives to encourage Nunavummiut to obtain government-issued identification cards through innovative outreach efforts.
- Designing and developing interactive, multilingual web platforms in both English, French and Inuktut for pan-territorial and national marketing campaigns and trade shows, promoting economic development and tourism opportunities across Nunavut. Developing engaging content as part of the ‘Look Up Nunavut’ campaign that effectively showcased Nunavut’s economic potential.
- Marketing and promoting public programs and resources related to business development, tourism, arts and culture. Ensuring externally contracted work for the development of ED&T publications, presentations, and displays adhered to departmental guidelines regarding cost and timelines.
- Skillfully handling inquiries from news media and the public, crafting and editing media releases, backgrounders, and ministerial statements for the department and the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
- Providing research and advisory support to senior management on IT issues, as well as planned and developed the annual systems services budget and fiscal forecasts for the department. This role exemplified their ability to engage a variety of stakeholders and demonstrate leadership within a dynamic governmental environment.
Communications and Information Coordinator; Policy, Planning and Communications
Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Government of Nunavut
Iqaluit, Nunavut | 2006-2007
Reporting to the Communications Manager, responsibilities involved managing and coordinating departmental outreach and communications activities. Coordinating the publication and release of materials for media, internet, and print platforms, ensuring information was disseminated effectively to diverse audiences.
- Providing research and advisory services to the Deputy Minister and Senior Management, focusing on information technology issues that significantly influenced departmental operations. This included planning and development of annual systems services budget and fiscal forecasts, ensuring alignment with department goals.
- Researching, monitoring, and evaluating emerging information technologies, recommending cost-effective solutions tailored to the department’s needs. Supporting technology innovation initiatives to improve efficiency and responsiveness to technological advancements and needs.
- Writing news releases, ministerial statements and marketing content. Collaborating and liaising with communications staff across various departments, including Intergovernmental Affairs, on special projects. Notable initiatives included development of the department’s corporate website, production of the Sanaugait Arts and Crafts Strategy, the Parnautiit Nunavut Mineral Exploration and Mining Strategy, and marketing campaigns to boost arts, culture, economic development and tourism..
- Providing hands-on advice and administrative support to headquarters and regional staff, enhancing their communication capabilities for program delivery. Conducting comprehensive research and mastering advancements in Internet and Intranet technologies, to deliver valuable insights to guide management and staff in navigating a rapidly evolving digital landscape with multiple shifting priorities.
- Generating detailed reports, including monthly web statistics, server studies, site audits, and user requirement surveys, which helped to assess and improve the efficacy of public service communications related to business development, tourism, arts and culture, resource development, and transportation.
Multimedia Producer, Army News
Directorate of Army Public Affairs, Department of National Defence
Ottawa, Ontario | 2005 – 2006
- Designing, creating, planning, and implementing a diverse array of multimedia projects aimed at promoting Army Transformation and enhancing public affairs initiatives. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to support innovative communication strategies across various platforms, including the Army’s website, global television network, and print media.
- Supporting the development of interactive multimedia projects, online case studies, and marketing content, increasing engagement and outreach for multiple Army websites and special projects and providing mentorship to students and staff.
Web Developer and Quality Assurance
Directorate of History and Heritage, Department of National Defence
Ottawa, Ontario | 2005
Supporting a team of developers in a contract role to enhance web content dedicated to Canada’s military heritage and history.
Writing and editing content summaries for metadata records to improve content description and categorization. Conducted rigorous proofreading and quality assurance to ensure compliance with Common Look and Feel and DND Web Publishing standards. Designing and developing web content, contributing to a more dynamic and user-friendly online experience.
eBusiness and Database Developer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario | 2004
- Developing metadata collection and documentation strategies for information management, identifying key goals and operational objectives to ensure project alignment with client needs in a cost-effective and standards-compliant manner.
- Engaging effectively with senior and executive management by presenting strategies and reporting project progress to stakeholders, including the NSERC Corporate Webmaster, eBusiness Project Manager, Chief Information Officer, and account executives.
- Creating and maintaining a comprehensive Project Management Plan using Microsoft Project, alongside an organized project archive that encompassed all documentation, correspondence, and records.
- Facilitating information sessions for the Tri-Council-approved Web Invigoration Portal Project, recording and documenting feedback from staff, management, and stakeholders to foster continuous improvement and project success.
User Interface Design and Technical Communicator
Land Software Engineering Centre, Department of National Defence
Ottawa, Ontario | 1998 – 2004
- Establishing a User Interface Design and Technical Communications team within an ISO-9001:2000 software engineering framework for the Canadian Army. Technical writing and communication, planning, designing, and producing print and online documentation.
- Mentoring new and junior designers and communicators, providing training in technical documentation and multimedia tools, supporting a collaborative and continuously improving team environment. Managing multiple high-stakes communications projects within a complex department of over 100 developers and clients to ensure alignment on project objectives and deliverables.
- Developing user interfaces and comprehensive training materials for tactical software and systems. Conducting research to implement and document quality system best practices for improving technical communication, project management, and training, contributing to effective knowledge transfer and sustaining innovation within public service sector environments.
Multimedia Coordinator
Ottawa Center for Research and Innovation
Ottawa, Ontario | 1998
- Contributing to a multidisciplinary communications team focused on promoting and marketing a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing collaborative technology research, education, and entrepreneurship in Ottawa.
- Designing and producing dynamic marketing and communications materials for a variety of professional development events, including seminars, trade shows, technical conferences, and special events such as New Media North, Zone5ive, the Technology Executive Breakfast, Ottawa SPIN, and the Annual General Meeting.
- Monitoring, writing, editing, and publishing news articles related to the Ottawa-area high-tech industry, corporate events, and announcements for the website and media. Maintaining and enhancing website content and graphics, ensuring alignment with current initiatives and promoting engagement with stakeholders.
Marketing Officer Web and Online, Community and Student Affairs Department
Algonquin College
Ottawa, Ontario | 1996 – 1997
- Reporting to the Director of Community and Student Affairs, responsibilities involved developing, maintaining and administering the Algonquin College corporate website, writing and editing of content for internal and public distribution.
- Providing general assistance to the operations and activities of the Community and Student Affairs Office, College Information Booth and responding to the needs and requests of students, staff and the general public. Extensive writing, editing and production for on-line Continuing Education catalogues and college marketing materials.
Reporter-Photographer, Atikokan Progress
Atikokan, Ontario | 1994 – 1995
- Writing, interviewing, researching, reporting and photography for news, local events, court and legal issues, business and human-interest stories Northwestern Ontario.
- Editing, reviewing and proofreading for news and editorial content, advertising, page layout and custom print orders. Researching information for stories using online and archival records and conducting interviews in a wide variety of situations and environments.