Community Initiatives Spotlight: ELIXR Simulations Brings Stories in Motion to Life

What happens when an early-stage idea gets the opportunity to move out of development and into the community?

For ELIXR Simulations, it became Stories in Motion, a free public augmented reality experience that brought art, technology and cultural storytelling together at Edmonton Chinatown’s Azure Dragon mural.

With support from ERIN’s Community Initiatives Micro-Sponsorship Stream, ELIXR and its community partners invited people to experience a locally developed AR prototype, explore the story behind the mural and provide feedback that will help shape what comes next.

And the results tell a great story:

▫️ 68 people participated

▫️ 53 provided feedback

▫️ 92% felt more connected to or curious about the Azure Dragon mural

▫️ 91% reported greater interest in exploring Chinatown

▫️ 89% said they would try similar experiences elsewhere in Edmonton

The initiative also connected emerging XR talent with real users, supported engagement with Chinatown businesses and cultural programming, and has already sparked interest in applying the technology at another cultural site in Edmonton.

This is what ERIN’s Community Initiatives Fund is designed to help make possible: giving innovative ideas an opportunity to be tested, shared and connected to the community.

Congratulations to ELIXR Simulations and everyone who helped bring Stories in Motion to life.