Culture & Lifestyle /
Canada’s First: Centre Of Media & Celebrity Studies
On Thursday, 29th August 2013, Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS) opened its doors to the public. Dr. Samita Nandy launched Canada’s one and only research and production centre that focuses on fame. The launch took place at The Inner Garden located at 401 Richmond (Suite 384) in Toronto, Canada. Doors opened at 7:30 pm. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, the centre brings together award-winning scholars, artists, and intellectual public. CMCS also has an international Advisory Board that supports development of publications, lectures, courses, media workshops, and trailblazing performances. The Advisory Board includes Anita Krajnc, Mira Moshe, Louis Massey, Radha Maharaj, Robinder Sehdev, Tushar Unadkat, Yaya Mori and Founding Director, Samita Nandy. She has also been featured along with Global Television’s Daytime and prime-time show First Local on Rogers Television, CBC News, The Globe and Mail, Watch magazine, ATN Television Network; CINA 1650 AM, Rivaaj, Starbuzz Weekly, Cineblitz, Mississauga News, and India Journal. She is also the Director of Communications at Nouveau iDEA (International Dimensions of Entertainment and Arts) that has over 8,000 members and 80,000 online readers.
Here is what Dr. Nandy had to say about her experience conceptualizing and launching this centre:
What is the inspiration that led to the creation of the centre? 
In both academia and arts, there has been a huge demand to critically focus on fame-based practices, include creative practitioners, and create industrial links between higher education and the creative arts sector. I observed a specific need to understand fame, its social impact on artists, and role of higher education in popular culture as well as in public arts. I saw this demand and an urgent need to bridge existing gaps between arts and higher education. I started to think about these needs prior to my PhD. I was also honored to be on the board of arts organization Nouveau iDEA. At this time, I produced my first documentary about the life and journey of Tushar Unadkat. The documentary was well received and shown on Rogers Television. It was during my teaching and film production that I realized a need to represent talent in ways that were equal and in a socially just manner. In Australia, I received strong encouragement from faculty members and was grateful to receive grants valued at $120, 000. I received valuable feedback from my supervisors Helen Merrick and Matthew Allen, faculty members John Fielder and Alzena MacDonald, and my external examiners Rob Shields and David Marshall. Their feedback supported the completion of my research on celebrity culture and the vision of Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS).
How does the centre aim to support academics, artists, public, and the media?
The centre aims to empower merit-based talent and provide media literacy skills in academia, arts, and public spaces. It will provide commentaries to broadcast and print media producing content in popular culture. The centre will support artists so that they do not feel compelled to simply conform to industrial standards of fame and overlook their unique talent. Instead, they can focus on their distinctive talent that is essential to recognition of self in popular culture and in everyday life. Our goal is to empower distinctive talent and be critically aware of practices and processes of fame in which talent often emerges. The centre is inclusive, provides resources, and offers supports to free one’s self from social conditions and develop unique talent. As a South Asian, I have seen that artists can be often affected by ethnic conditions and they tend to follow dominant cultural practices. I think the best way to develop talent is to listen to your self and follow your path that is different from others.
What are the forthcoming events that we can look forward to at the centre?
Well, the most recent event is the launch and we are also working on a feminist performance art called The Sacred Eco-Feminist Move. The forthcoming events, performances, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions will officially begin in 2014.
More information on the Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS) is available at www.cmc-centre.com.
We look forward to the grand opening and congratulate Dr. Nandy on the upcoming launch!
Feature Image & Source: Samita Nandy/Supplied Photo and cmc-centre.com
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
From Indian BBQ To Bevvies, Brigadiers Brings The Spirit Of The Indian Military Bar To London
-
Grill Up Some Indian Street Food Inspired Good Eats With These 4 Recipes
-
4 Hot Tech Gadgets That Are Coming Out In August 2020
-
3 Ways To De-Stress With Getting Stressed About It
-
No Machine Needed! Be A Barista At Home With These 3-Step Coffee Recipes
-
No Camp? No Problem! Tips To Give Your Kids A Camp Experience At Home
-
The Great Escape: What You Need To Know When Travelling During COVID-19
-
Kickstart Your Way To Good Health With Kitchari!
-
Be A Backyard Beach Bum With These South Asian Summer Reads
-
July 2020 Hot Tech Gadgets That You Need Now!
-
Want A Getaway? Check Out These 6 Travel Movies That Will Give You A Wanderlust Vibe
-
Why Isn't Our Desi Community Ready To Accept South Asian Lesbians?
-
Easy Breezy Summer Cocktail Recipes To Try At Home
-
7 Mango Recipes You Can Try This Summer!
-
Here Are 8 Key Things You Can Do To Support The Trans Community
-
Make Your Dad Feel Like A Superstar With These Father's Day Gifts
-
Educate Yourself On #BlackLivesMatter With These Key Books
-
Mindful Health: You'll Be Surprised At What These 3 Super Spices Can Do For You
-
#BlackLivesMatter Needs The Right South Asian Ally
-
NYC's India Center Foundation Hands Out Big Dollars For Artists Affected By COVID-19
-
June 2020 Hottest Tech Gadgets That You Need Now!
-
Transgender Activist Akkai Padmashali On Bringing Dignity & Equality To The Trans Community Of India
-
In Search Of Justice For George Floyd — A Snapshot Of A Burning America
-
Staying Indoors? Boost Your Body With These 5 Vitamin Gummies
-
Art History Of Sri Lanka: 3 Pioneering Modern Artists You Should Know
-
Be A Home School Hero With These Key Teaching Tips
-
#WomenSupportingWomen: Celebrating The 2020 L'Oréal Paris Women Of Worth Honourees
-
Art History Of Bangladesh: 4 Pioneering Modern Artists You Should Know
-
Boomer, Gen X And Gen Y — Three Moms From Different Generations Share Their Motherhood Experiences And More
-
Art History Of Pakistan: 4 Pioneering Modern Artists You Should Know
-
May 2020 Hot Tech Gadgets That You Need Now!
-
Art History Of India: 4 Pioneering Modern Artists You Should Know
-
COVID-19: Sikh Nation Breaks Records With Their Biggest Blood Drive In Canada
-
COVID-19: Game On! Self-Isolation Is Turning People Into Serious Gamers
-
COVID-19: Are We The Virus? The (Much) Cleaner Earth Breathes In New Life Thanks To The Global Lockdown
-
COVID-19: What Happens To The Strays And Pets During India's 21-Day Lockdown?
-
Ramadan 2020 Food Guide: What To Eat & What To Avoid During Your Month Of Fasting
-
COVID-19: These South Asian Healthcare Workers Are Making A Difference On The Frontlines
-
COVID-19: Feel The Groove With These Online Bollywood & Bhangra Dance Classes
-
COVID-19: 7 Chefs To Follow For Fresh Quarantine Recipes
-
COVID-19: Three Journalists Tell Us What It's Like Inside India’s 21-Day Lockdown
-
COVID-19: Clinical Psychologist Dr. Monica Vermani Shares Her Tips On How To Survive And Thrive Through This Time
-
COVID-19: Ace The Fitness Game With Bollywood Celebs & Their Trainers At Home!
-
COVID-19: 5 Key Ways To Manage Your Mental Health
-
#RajGirnThisIs50 Birthday Extravaganza Was A Night To Remember!
-
World Water Day 2020: Can A Water Treaty Save South Asian Countries?
-
March 2020 Hot Tech Gadgets That You Need Now!
-
Why Are Pakistani Girls Being Sold As Brides To Chinese Men?
-
Namaste Trump: The Moments From Trump's India Trip That Mattered
-
Masala Zone Brings Authentic Indian Street Food To London
-
Soothe Your Soul With These 3 South Indian Soup Recipes
-
World Day Of Social Justice: How Nepal & Pakistan Are Fighting For Their People's Future
Newsletter Sign Up
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter for all of the latest news, buzz, blogs and radio shows, delivered directly to your inbox!
MONTHLY 'REAL TALK' SHOW
AIRING
Recent Shows
Monthly Celebrity Talk Show
Airing
Recent Shows
