Assiniboine celebrates grand opening of Creative CoLab

Assiniboine College has unveiled its newest hub for creativity and entrepreneurship—the Creative CoLab, a dynamic space where technology, art, design, and business development intersect. Designed to encourage hands-on exploration and collaboration, the Creative CoLab provides community members, students and entrepreneurs with access to modern tools, resources, and collaborative space for networking. It’s an environment that encourages experimentation, connects people from different disciplines, and helps bridge the gap between creativity and commerce.

“The Creative Colab will be a hub for helping to build creative industries and economic activity in Brandon,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College. “In addition to state-of-the-art space and equipment, we will work with creative industries to create connections, expose opportunities and increase economic activity in knowledge-based industries in the region.”

Outfitted with the latest technology, the CoLab nurtures creativity, supports entrepreneurial growth, and strengthens regional connections. The space offers opportunities to experiment with tools such as 3D printers, a wide-format printer, laser engravers, and other tools—empowering people to turn their ideas and passions into tangible projects and viable ventures. It also offers the creative community bookable space for everything from one-on-one meetings to small group breakout areas and large workshops.

The CoLab builds on Assiniboine’s strong foundation of applied learning and industry engagement. It complements the college’s Centre for Creative Media, creating a hub of creativity and business development within the Peters School of Business. Adding to their previous investment in the Centre for Creative Media for a total nearly $3 million investment in these spaces, support Prairies Economic Development Canada was integral to bringing this space to life.

“We’re grateful for the continued support from PrairiesCan, helping us strengthen opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in Manitoba,” added Frison.

Jana Sproule, Chair of Media & Office Tech in the college’s Peters School of Business, highlighted the collaborative and practical value of the new space. “The Creative CoLab is where ideas come to life,” she said. “This space brings together entrepreneurs, thinkers and makers to collaborate and create, while building the skills and confidence that will help drive our creative communities forward.”

The Creative CoLab is located at Assiniboine’s Victoria Avenue East campus and is open to students, alumni, and community members. Beyond its technology and tools, the Creative CoLab serves as a community connector. It provides a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment where learning, innovation, and partnership thrive.

To learn more about the Creative CoLab, visit assiniboine.net/ccl.

Video from the opening can be found below: