Schroeder is a name that is synonymous with education in Manitoba. Walter and Maria Schroeder, born Winnipeggers and Manitobans, have formed their legacy around ensuring Manitoba students are set for success.

Today their legacy of giving is given an entirely new meaning – the Schroeder Foundation’s transformational gift of $15 million – the largest in RRC Polytech’s history – paves the way to continued growth and opportunity with the creation of a new prairie-based media arts hub: the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts (the Schroeder Institute).

This gift brings opportunity for RRC Polytech and its students, and for the creative sectors that thrive in the heart of Canada. For more than 70 years, creative thinkers explored ideas and sharpened their skills at RRC Polytech, and this gift re-energizes what is possible – enhancing programs, expanding innovation opportunities, and strengthening ties to industry.

Manitoba is a flourishing creative engine proving it is competitive across the prairies, the country, and beyond. Local training and talent are crucial to the success of the businesses that choose to operate here, and that is where RRC Polytech, and the Schroeder Institute, come in.  

“RRC Polytech and the Schroeder Foundation have a shared vision for the future and what we can make possible through education, collaboration, and research,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO RRC Polytech. “The Schroeder Foundation’s decision to make this tremendous investment in RRC Polytech reflects that there are visionaries invested in our community who recognize the value of what we are doing here to support students on their way into careers in creative industries. This gift today will enable us to create so many more opportunities for Manitobans and our creative industries together.”

This partnership is a representation of the movie-worthy story arc that the Schroeder family and RRC Polytech share – a history of humble beginnings leading to a path of advancing technology and industry in Canada and beyond. The Schroeder family and their foundation share the commitment to creating opportunity in Manitoba that RRC Polytech holds as a guiding principle.

RRC Polytech began as a small community college, and after almost a century of continuous growth and innovation, it is now a leader in producing job-ready graduates. This gift, and the creation of the Schroeder Institute, further cements RRC Polytech as a trusted partner that industry can rely on to produce job-ready grads and support existing employees with opportunities to expand their skills.

The Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts is where students push the limits of their skills and build their networks and industry connections. They are taught by instructors with a wealth of industry experience who support them as they learn the skills necessary to break into a career in their chosen field.  

Developed with a 14-person advisory committee deeply entrenched in creative industries to guide programming, the Schroeder Institute always has an edge on what the industry needs. 

The Schroeder Institute launches today with 12 core programs, but continues to enhance its offerings. Two new programs – Animation and Entertainment Production Management – launches in the fall of 2025 and industry informed micro-credential programs designed for current professionals to increase their skillsets will soon be added.

The Schroeder Foundation is an ongoing partner of RRC Polytech supporting student success, such as providing scholarships for their “Schroeder Students.” Now, this latest, and largest, investment of $15 million to ensure top creative arts programming, is a continuation of that support and legacy of giving in the spirit of furthering education.

“Maria and I grew up in Manitoba and will always be Winnipeggers. We believe in the work that RRC Polytech is doing to support students and the industries they aspire to be a part of,” said Walter Schroeder.

“We have lofty goals for the Institute. We believe it can attract creative sector industry partners – and students – from across Canada and around the world to Manitoba and Winnipeg, where they will discover the advantages of working, studying, and living here. And we believe the Institute can create pathways for secondary learners – like the students we support through Sisler’s CREATE program – to accelerate their careers in their home province. We can’t wait to see these relationships grow with other Winnipeg high schools and we are excited to support the Institute.” 

The Schroeder Institute will create a pipeline of newly skilled employees, foster deeper collaboration with industry and for the first time, RRC Polytech is creating an applied research program to foster innovation in emerging technologies in creative sectors.  The College’s ACE Project Space, alongside the Research Partnerships and Innovation team, will undertake projects aimed at establishing Canada’s leadership in animation, virtual production studios, and user-experience testing.

Areas of applied research opportunity within the Schroeder Institute are diverse and immense, from leveraging AI in media creation, exploring how to best utilize immersive technologies like virtual or augmented reality in productions, and how to reduce the carbon footprint of production.

Headquartered in Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, and located in the heart of the Exchange District, the Schroeder Institute gives students direct access to the creative core of Winnipeg, while they learn in state-of-the-art facilities with top industry-grade equipment and tools.

The Schroeder family has long impacted Manitobans seeking higher education and today, that continues full speed ahead with the launch of the Schroeder Institute. Manitobans for many years to come will remember where they started their careers, and the name Schroeder will forever be a part of their stories.

“This gift from Walter and Maria through the Schroeder Foundation towards RRC Polytech’s comprehensive campaign “In Front of What’s Ahead,” is a rare example of truly transformational philanthropy that will uplift our community, industry partners, and students for generations to come,” said David Petis, Executive Director, Advancement, RRC Polytech. “It demonstrates what is possible with the support of community partners who believe in the value of a Polytechnic education and providing opportunities for young people looking to break into industries they are passionate about.” 

Learn more about the Schroeder Institute and how it will create opportunities for many students in the years ahead.