DGTL TOOLKIT + DIY
Tutorials and DGTL DIY
In 2020, due to the closure of our host libraries across Northern Ontario caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, our Digital Creator spaces were also forced to close down and suspend all in-person programming.
During this time, our talented Program Facilitators produced a variety of educational video tutorials on different topics, which were shared across social media, allowing youth to follow along and continue exploring digital arts and technologies from their own homes.
Tutorials
Check out some awesome FREE tutorials!
Check out some awesome FREE tutorials that have been created by our awesome program leads!
Toolkit Resources
Funding
General Funding Sources
NOHFC People and Talent Program
The NOHFC People & Talent Program aims to attract, retain, and develop the workforce of Northern Ontario. This program can be helpful for hiring staff members to oversee the operations of the Digital Creator North programming space.
Please Note* Applicants must be located within Northern Ontario.
ScotiaRISE
Promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups.
Community Services Recovery Fund
Pandemic recovery funding for Non-Profits.
Trillium ROOTS Community Fund
Preference for rural Ontario. Focuses on Mental Wellness, agriculture, healthcare, emergency response, and environmental/ sustainability.
Desjardins GoodSpark Fund
Employment, community involvement, training, arts & culture, etc.
Trillium Grow Grant
For proven community projects: Salaries, employment costs, travel, equipment, etc.
HydroOne Energizing Life Community Fund
Project funding that focuses on physical, psychological, and emotional safety of Ontarians.
Funding at the McConnell Foundation
Climate, reconciliation, or community funding.
TC Energy BUILD STRONG
Grants for non-profits.
Government of Ontario Rural Development Funding
Many funding opportunities are listed through the Government of Ontario website.
Lush
Fundraising and product donations, public outreach, etc.
Funding
Indigenous Specific Funding Sources
GoC Indigenous Community Support Fund
Needs-based funding to help Indigenous communities and organizations prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19.
True North Aid
Community-led initiative supplies.
Jordan's Principle
Funding for the needs of First Nations children incl. Health, social, and education.
Indigenous Community Support Fund
Needs-based funding for various community supports.
Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
Pandemic recovery for rural indigenous communities.
TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund
For charities, non-profits, & community groups. Grants up to $50,000.
Laidlaw Youth Action Fund
offers grants to grassroots initiatives working with youth.
FNCCEC Indigenous Languages grant
Indigenous language programming funding.
CREation Community Grants
Youth groups/collectives (comprised of Indigenous youth ages 15-29): funding to support community programs.
First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy
Wage subsidies for youth summer employment.
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative
Support for Indigenous-led initiatives to improve community safety and wellbeing.
NOHFC Indigenous Workforce Development Stream
Hiring an Indigenous staff person to run Digital Creator North programming space (must be in Northern Ontario).
Equipment
Recommended Equipment List
Essential Items
Other Items
Ideal/Bonus
Software
Free Open-Source Software Toolkit
Royalty Free Music & Sounds
Youtube Studio – Free to use music and sound effects. Able to add directly to uploaded YouTube videos on your channel.
FreeSound – Online library of free sound effects.
Free Music Archive – Online library of free-to-use music.
Graphic Design Templates
Adobe Express – Templates for designing social media posts, posters, invitations, and business cards.
Canva – Templates for designing social media posts, resumes, pamphlets, and banners.
3D Printing & Design
Thingiverse – Online Library of digital design files for 3D Printing.
Autodesk TinkerCAD – Design and create your own files for 3D Printing.
SketchUp – 3D modelling & design software (free plan available)
Sculptris – 3D design & digital sculpting software
2D Animation
Pivot – Basic stick-figure animation.
Flipaclip – App for Android and iOS.
Stick Nodes – App for Android and iOS.
Pencil2D – Open source & free software for Windows / Mac / Linux
Coding & Web Design
Code Combat – Learn the basics of JavaScript and Python by playing games.
Studio Code – An online platform for action-oriented coding practices.
Open Processing – An educational platform to create projects, download and modify existing projects, and learn through coding tutorials.
W3 Schools – Online learning platform with resources and tutorials for every web language.
MIT App Inventor – An online app development platform to get started building apps for Android devices.
Video Editing
DaVinci Resolve – DaVinci Resolve is a colour correction and non-linear video editing application for macOS Windows.
Open Shot – A free and open source video editor for macOS Windows.
Shotcut – A free and open source video editor for Mac / Windows / Linux.
Filmora Go – Free video editing app for iOS and Android.
GoPro Quik – Free Desktop app for Mac & Windows. Free app for iOS and Android.
Royalty Free Stock Images
Unsplash – Photos (JPG)
Pixabay – Photos & vector graphics (JPG, PNG, SVG)
Pexels – Photos (JPG, PNG)
Creative Commons – A search engine for finding royalty free images, sounds, etc.
Digital Art & Graphic Design
Krita – Free & open source digital painting software for Windows / Mac / Linux.
Autodesk Sketchbook – Free download desktop software for Windows / Mac. App version for Andriod and iOS.
Gimp – Free & open source graphics editor & photo manipulation software for Windows / Mac / Linux.
Inkscape – Free & open source vector-based design software for Windows / Mac / Linux.
Medibang Paint Pro – Free download desktop software for Windows / Mac. App version for Andriod and iOS.
Scribus – Free & open source desktop publication design software for Windows / Mac / Linux.
Pixlr X – In-browser photo editor for basic adjustments. Runs with HTML5 instead of Flash.
Photoshop Express Editor – In-browser photo editor with the basic functionality of Photoshop for quick edits and touch-ups. Requires Flash Player. App for iOS and Android is also available.
Snapseed – Free photo editing app for iOS and Android.
Lightzone – Free & open source desktop photo editing software for Windows / Mac / Linux.
RawTherapee – Free desktop photo editing software for Windows / Mac / Linux.
Assembly – Create vector-based characters and scenes using a building block approach to design. For iOS.
Adobe Draw – Free Mobile app used for vector-based digital drawing on a tablet.
Adobe Sketch – Free Mobile app used for pixel-based digital drawing on a tablet.
Adobe Capture – Free image capturing and processing app that converts to vectors for future use.
3D Animation
Blender – Open source & free software for Windows / Mac / Linux
Stop Motion Animation
Stop Motion Studio – Free, well designed, stop motion software available for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows.
Digital Audio Workstations
Reaper – A simple to use, music editing program
Garageband – A pre-installed music editing and loops software from Apple exclusively for Mac computers.
Audacity – A free open source digital audio editor and recording application software, available for Windows and Mac.
Ableton (Lite) – Free music production and live performance.
Chrome Music Lab – A free online tool that makes learning music more accessible through fun, hands-on experiments.
Tutorials and How-To Videos
Skillshare – Free video tutorials on a range of art and design topics
Howcast – Free video tutorials on art and craft by Howcast experts.
Ctrl+Paint – Free digital painting 101 by concept artist Matt Kohr