What The Quickdraw Animation Society does

The Quickdraw Animation Society (QAS) is a member-driven not-for-profit society founded in Calgary, Alberta in 1984/1985 (firmographics lists 1984; the 2024 40th-anniversary reference supports a 1985 incorporation) that operates an animation education and community ecosystem for independent animators. The organization delivers structured 12-week adult courses in Animation Fundamentals, Alternative Techniques in Animation, Projects in Animation, Blender 3D modelling/rigging, Toon Boom Harmony, and Drawing for Animation; short workshops (Grant Writing, Compositing in After Effects); youth summer camps (QuickKids for ages 8-12 and the Teen Animation Camp); and two signature annual events — the GIRAF Festival of Independent Animation (planning its 22nd edition in 2026) and the 19th annual Animation Lockdown challenge. Members also access an equipment rental inventory, a resource library, and a curated "Monday Shorts" film series, plus an active job board that surfaces paid work for animators (e.g., a $4,000 music video commission and a $25/hr Signal Film contract).

QAS produces no proprietary technology platform; its technical footprint consists of industry-standard animation tools (Blender, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects) used in instruction and a member-accessible physical studio at 2011 10th Avenue SW, Calgary. There is no application, no AI/ML pipeline, and no documented data asset. Operations are run by a small staff (1–10 employees), including a Production Director (Erin Saunders) and an Education Coordinator (Amanda Torres), with governance provided by an annually elected volunteer Board of Directors.

The society's business model is multi-stream and member-anchored. Revenue is generated through annual producing memberships ($50/year), course and workshop registration fees ranging from $10 (Grant Writing for non-members) to $430 (Teen Camp, one week) with member discounts applied, youth camp tuition, grants (notably the Government of Canada Summer Jobs Program, which funds the GIRAF Signal Film position), and donations. Distribution is predominantly regional and in-person at the Calgary HQ, with a small online delivery channel (Zoom-based workshops). Geographic restrictions are explicit: Animation Lockdown is limited to the Calgary–Mohkinstsis area and the QAS global diaspora, and several grant-funded roles require Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Strategic partnerships include Contemporary Calgary (festival venue), Atelier Artista (life-drawing sessions for Drawing for Animation students), the Tsuut'ina Gunaha Institute (Indigenous-language animated film collaboration), and the federal Summer Jobs Program.

Name

The Quickdraw Animation Society

Legal name

Quickdraw Animation Society

Website

https://quickdrawanimation.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Quickdraw Animation Society is a Calgary-based not-for-profit that delivers animation education (adult courses, youth camps, workshops), studio and equipment access, and community programming including the GIRAF Festival and Animation Lockdown for independent animators across Alberta.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production (MPADACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series) (MPADACAI), Stop-Motion & Hybrid Animation (MPAHACAM), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI)

Keywords

• Animation education
• Animation workshops
• Independent animation
• Youth animation camps
• Animation film festival

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide access to courses, resource library, equipment rentals, and member discounts on workshops and events.
2. Course and Workshop Registration: Revenue from registration fees for adult courses, youth camps, and workshops. Pricing varies by program with member discounts available.
3. Grants and Donations: The organization receives funding through grants including Government of Canada Summer Jobs Program and accepts donations to support programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Quickdraw Animation Society is a member-driven not-for-profit that delivers animation education, studio and equipment access, and community programming to independent animators in Calgary. Its core offerings include 12-week adult courses, short workshops, youth day-camps, a resource library and equipment rental program, and signature annual events such as the GIRAF Festival of Independent Animation and the Animation Lockdown challenge.

Product overview

The Quickdraw Animation Society offers a comprehensive suite of animation education and community programs in Calgary, including 12-week adult courses (Animation Fundamentals, Alternative Techniques, Projects in Animation, Blender 3D, Toon Boom Harmony, Drawing for Animation), workshops (Grant Writing, Compositing in After Effects, Animation Lockdown), youth camps (QuickKids and Teen Animation), and the annual GIRAF Festival of Independent Animation. These offerings are supported by membership programs providing access to equipment rentals, resource libraries, and studio space, creating a complete ecosystem for emerging and established animators in the Calgary area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animation Fundamentals
• Alternative Techniques in Animation
• Projects in Animation
• Intro to 3D Animation: Blender
• Intro to Toon Boom Harmony
• Drawing for Animation
• Blender 3D: Modelling and Rigging
• Grant Writing Workshop
• Compositing in After Effects
• Animation Lockdown
• QuickKids Summer Camp
• Teen Animation Camp
• GIRAF Festival of Independent Animation
• Membership Program
• Equipment Rental and Studio Access

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Atelier ArtistaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtelier Artista, located at Suite 410, 1721 - 29th Ave. SW, allows Drawing for Animation students to attend live-model short-pose drawing sessions at their studio. This partnership provides life drawing instruction opportunities for QAS students.
• Contemporary CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Animation Lockdown films are screened at Contemporary Calgary, with awards presented at the cSpace's Studio Theatre. This partnership provides venue and prestige for the annual film festival.
• Tsuut'ina Gunaha InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create a short animated film narrated entirely in the Tsuut'ina language, supporting Indigenous language preservation through animation.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vancouver Film School (Animation Program): Canadian animation-focused post-secondary program offering structured industry-software training (similar to QAS's Toon Boom/Blender courses). Comparable as an animation education provider serving aspiring Canadian animators.
• Ottawa International Animation Festival: Canada's other major independent animation festival and a long-running showcase for short-form independent animation. Directly comparable to QAS's GIRAF Festival in scope, audience (independent animators), and festival-based community-building model.
• Sheridan College Animation Program: One of Canada's most recognized animation degree programs with a strong industry reputation. Comparable to QAS's adult course catalog as a Canadian pipeline for industry-trained animation talent.
• ASIFA-Hollywood: The Hollywood chapter of the international animation society, supporting animation professionals through events, awards (Annie Awards), and community programs. Analogous to QAS as a member-driven not-for-profit society serving the animation community.

Broad incumbents

• Annecy International Animation Film Festival: The world's largest and most prestigious animation festival. Comparable as a global independent-animation showcase that establishes the playbook for events like QAS's GIRAF Festival.
• National Film Board of Canada: Canadian public producer and distributor of animation and documentary film. Overlapping with QAS in supporting and showcasing Canadian independent animation talent and short-form work.

Emerging players

• Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation: Long-running independent animation showcase and touring festival. Comparable to GIRAF as a curated independent-animation festival format serving animators and animation enthusiasts.

Others

• Toon Boom Animation: Industry-standard 2D animation software vendor whose Toon Boom Harmony tool is taught in QAS's adult courses. Ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor, but central to QAS's industry-software curriculum.

Regional players

• Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Alberta-based arts residency and education organisation offering programming across visual and performing arts. Comparable as a regional Alberta arts-education institution supporting artists and creative community development.
• Calgary International Film Festival: Calgary-based annual film festival operating in the same city as QAS. Comparable as a local cultural festival building audience and community around independent filmmaking in Calgary.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quickdraw-animation-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Quickdraw Animation Society