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About Me

Kimberly Smith advocates the conscious evolution of inclusive community living, art and commerce because he knows this is a powerful way to foster innovation, adaptability, joy, and prosperity for everyone. He passionately supports The Alexander Society for Special Needs which teaches people how to use traditional and creative arts as catalysts for individual and social development. He is voluntary chairperson for the Community Association of People for REAL Enterprise which encourages the creation of new businesses that are inspired by and support individuals who have been labelled with intellectual disabilities. He volunteers as adviser for Kings County People First which is dedicated to demonstrating and advocating inclusive neighborhoods, work and cultural life. He also volunteers as a champion for the Nova Scotia Association for Community Living.

Kimberly achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in performance from York University in 1981. He has worked extensively in theater, film and television since that time. His professional experience ranges from being an actor to a set technician, artistic director, writer, musician and video maker. He began teaching movie making in 1994. His uniquely accessible approach combines the essential principles of film language with group improvisational games and consumer video technology.

Location:
Canada, Canning, Nova Scotia
Current organization:
Creative Action Digital Video
Past organizations:
I.A.T.S.E. Local 849, A.C.T.R.A., Plays Reflecting Ordinary People Surviving, Resident Video Maker for Wolfville Farmers' Market
Current role:
Video Director and Consultant
Gender:
Male
Areas of expertise:
Video Director, Group Creativity Facilitator, Video Improvisation Ensemble Coach, Inventor of Movie Games
I am:
Activist, Artist, Change Agent, Educator/Teacher, Filmmaker, Journalist, Musician, Performer, Producer, Social entrepreneur
Associations:
Directors Guild of Canada, Community Association of People for REAL Enterprise, Nova Scotia People First, Nova Scotia Association for Community Living
Languages:
English
My website links:
Creative Action Digital Video, The Alexander Society, Community Association of People for REAL Enterprise
Universities:
York University
Member Picture

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Engaging in creative social activities like jamming music, drama and improvisational video making with divers groups of people.

An idea worth spreading

Improvisational play can be very fruitful for community cultural and economic life when practiced regularly by groups of diverse people of all ages and abilities. Slight shifts in individual perspectives provided by this kind of creative activity can change vision from ordinary to extraordinary. - A person labeled intellectually challenged can be embraced as a person who is intellectually challenging -a rich creative opportunity -a highly valued part of community. What happens to us collectively if we rise to meet the challenge persons like this offer?

Talk to me about

ways to encourage as many people as possible to embrace the practice of fostering cultural and intellectual diversity as vital components of community social health and economic progress.

People don't know that I'm good at

being as quiet, gentle, and empathic as I can be aggressive and domineering.

My TED Story

On January 18, 1991, my thirty fourth birthday, my son Brendon had a thorough neurological examination at the IWK Hospital in Halifax. A CT scan revealed that the left ventricular cavity in his brain was twice normal size. He had this big hole in his brain! I asked Dr. Gordon, our neurologist what this meant. He said it meant Brendon would experience severe global developmental delay. I was devastated. The last thing I wanted in my life was a challenge of this sort. All I could do was think about me and the imagined drudgery I would go through for the rest of my life... "How far can Brendon develop?" I asked. At this point, Dr. Gordon said, "We know less about the brain than we know about the stars. All I know is you have to stimulate him as much as possible and trust your instincts." - Good thing my partner, Kathleen and I were both practicing artists! Brendon became our teacher and lead us to a whole new way of being. It turned out to be a great birthday present!

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +0.30 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • A comment on Conversation: Can we ever know how another person "senses" the world?

    Feb 17 2012: I am interested in this question because my 23 year old son is living with severe global developmental delay. He is still learning to communicate verbally. I have had many positive experiences communicating non verbally with him. We play and wrestle, hug, kiss, cuddle and clown. We make noises together. We take turns. All this may seem weird to outsiders because all of this is behaviour one usually sees between a parent and a two year old. But something vital is going on. It has to do with unconditional love -whatever THAT is. Here is an example of what we do with him and others who require special care... http://www.alexandersociety.org/?page_id=26

    All that shared and I leave you with an award winning lecture by Michael Persinger to consider in the context of this question. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l6VPpDublg
  • +2

    A comment on Talk: JJ Abrams: The mystery box

    Jun 15 2011: Using the mystery box to focus attention on humanity and story is brilliant and generous. I agree with JJ Abrams that elitism is very bad for community. I also hope that more people take accessible movie making technology to tap into more mystery boxes in communities all over our world.

  • A comment on Conversation: What kind of power can a film have?

    Jun 15 2011: One vital key to making our world a place where all people can prosper in peace and joyous harmony is communication. The language of motion pictures is powerful because it requires less energy and knowledge to read than text. Masses of people can understand moving image stories - yet be unable to express themselves in this medium. So the communication tends to be one sided. The rhetorical power of this language still rests in hands of the few. This concentration of power is dangerous and leads to many abuses. That's why the language of motion pictures must be learned by ordinary people all over our world with the same systematic seriousness spoken and written language is learned. The language of motion pictures, like music, has the potential for being a universal language. That is the promise. But this power must be shared more widely and equitably. Thankfully, with affordable accessible video technology, this is beginning to happen more and more. I am optimistic.

  • A comment on Talk: Dan Dennett: Responding to Pastor Rick Warren

    Jun 4 2011: I wish this meme would go extinct too. But I also wish to give space to all people to participate in the religious program of their choice because this is how human beings grow in consciousness. It is precisely the diversity of all these expressions and the conflicts that come with them that raise awareness of the finite nature of religion and the infinite natural mystery we know as LIFE itself. Religion often helps people learn the truth that there is much more to life than meets the eye AND that they can move on and attain a higher level of awareness and morality that no single religion can hope to achieve on it's own.

  • A comment on Conversation: How can we help the sustainability community maintain its growth? *A TEDActive Sustainability Project question*

    Apr 26 2011: We all have to agree on what we mean by sustainability. There are a number of brilliant minds working on this. Bill Molison is one: http://www.tagari.com Another equally brilliant thinker is Craig Holldrege http://www.natureinstitute.org
  • +1

    A comment on Conversation: Wealth and power have been our conventional measures of success. What definition will better sustain us now and how can we move into it?

    Apr 26 2011: Good question! I have a feeling the answer has to do with defining what "prosperity" is.

  • A comment on Talk: Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense

    Mar 10 2009: Sixth Sense technology that has the potential to atrophy or retard human sensitivity. When are we going to use technology as a means to strengthen and expand our natural capacities rather than diminish them? All that said, I have to admit being thrilled by the possibilities of this interface. Congratulations to all, but please don't call it "Sixth Sense". It isn't. It is something else entirely and THAT definition must be pondered carefully.

    I highly recommend the sober thoughts of Steve Talbot as a guide to how we value and develop technology. See http://natureinstitute.org/txt/st/mqual/index.htm

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