A 1980s style video game splash screen made for fun during one of this year's activities where youth and artists are learning about the arts, creative processes and gamification.
“Gamification is about turning learning and creativity into an adventure,” says Jamie Bell, one of the members of Art Borups Corners and their Winnipeg Arts Incubator driving this year’s initiative to bring gamification and technology to artists and youth.
At its core, gamification involves applying elements of game design—such as challenges, rewards, interactivity, and progression—to non-game contexts. In the arts, gamification transforms how people create and engage with creative projects. Incorporating game mechanics, artists can learn to make their work more interactive, captivating, and meaningful to audiences. Bell explains, “Gamification allows us to think about art and storytelling in entirely new ways. It encourages experimentation and invites audiences to become active participants in the experience.”
For artists, understanding gamification opens the door to new creative possibilities. Bell emphasizes that learning to incorporate game-like elements into art can help foster engagement, deepen storytelling, and make creative work more accessible. “Artists are natural storytellers,” he says. “Gamification gives them tools to create experiences where the audience isn’t just observing—they’re part of the journey.” This approach also equips artists with valuable skills that extend beyond the arts, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of how people interact with technology.
This year’s initiative focuses on introducing non-coders and artists to gamification through accessible technologies and creative projects. Bell sees this as a vital opportunity to expand their artistic practices. “We’re working with artists who don’t typically engage with tech,” he says. “The goal is to show them how these tools can enhance storytelling and provide new ways to display their work.”
One of the most exciting elements this year will be the creation of simple virtual galleries where artists can showcase their artwork. Using platforms that support VR and interactive storytelling, artists are learning design thinking, how to design immersive spaces that highlight their creations. Bell believes this step forward aligns perfectly with the spirit of gamification. “We’re essentially gamifying the way people experience art,” he explains. “Instead of walking through a traditional gallery, visitors can explore virtual worlds crafted by the artists themselves.”
The adventure isn’t just about learning new tools—it’s about understanding basic principles of game design and mechanics, which are central to creating interactive experiences. Artists begin with accessible projects, such as text-based adventure games, and gradually build confidence in their technical abilities. “For someone who’s never written code before, seeing a story they wrote come to life through a game is incredibly empowering,” Bell notes. “It’s about breaking down the barriers between art, creativity and technology.”
Beyond the technical aspects, the program also emphasizes the creative process. Artists collaborate to brainstorm ideas, write narratives, and design interactive elements. Bell highlights the importance of this approach: “Gamification isn’t just about making things fun. It’s a way to teach problem-solving, a creative mindset, oral history storytelling, and even collaboration. These are skills that go far beyond the world of games.”
As part of the gamification theme, artists also explore how game mechanics—like branching narratives, challenges, or progression—can deepen their storytelling. Bell believes this understanding benefits not only their art but also how audiences connect with it. “When people feel involved, whether they’re solving a challenge or making choices in a story, the experience becomes more personal,” he says.
With gamification at the heart of this year’s projects, the artists are not only creating games—they’re crafting entirely new experiences that reflect their creativity and vision. Bell is excited to see how they embrace this challenge. “Every artist brings something unique to the table,” he says. “When you combine that creativity with the possibilities of gamification and VR, the results are always inspiring.”
In Bell’s words: “At the end of the day, it’s about opening doors—showing artists that their stories, ideas, and creativity can thrive in new and exciting ways.”
The program is made possible with support from the OpenAI Researcher Access Program.
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