Creating Digital Narratives: An Introduction to ArcGIS StoryMaps

Session Description

What: Unlock the power of digital storytelling in this interactive workshop designed for anyone interested in combining narrative with spatial data. Through a blend of storytelling principles, platform exploration, and a live demonstration of ArcGIS StoryMaps, you’ll learn how to craft engaging, map-driven stories that inform, inspire, and connect with your audience.

Why: In an information-rich environment, storytelling that integrates clear narrative, informative visuals, and interactive maps can enhance audience engagement and facilitate understanding. ArcGIS StoryMaps supports this approach by providing accessible tools for communicating information within geographic contexts and presenting complex ideas through an integrated combination of text, maps, and visual content.

Software: During this workshop, we’ll walk step-by-step through the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder, showing how to structure content, incorporate maps and multimedia, and apply design and layout options to elevate your storytelling. ArcGIS StoryMaps is a web-based tool that enables you to integrate maps, text, images, multimedia, and embedded content into a single interactive narrative.

Faculty, staff, and students at the University of Toronto can access ArcGIS StoryMaps by signing in to ArcGIS Online at arcgis.com or directly through storymaps.arcgis.com using their UTORid and password. If this is your first time using ArcGIS Online, please follow the instructions to learn how to sign in and access your account.

Who: This workshop is ideal for educators, researchers, and students from any discipline, as well as GIS users interested in expanding their skills into public-facing storytelling. It is also suitable for anyone interested in combining digital narrative with geographic data. No coding experience or prior knowledge of GIS is required.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, 1-3pm

Where: MDL Data Lab, 5th floor of Robarts Library (Room 5031)

How: This two-hour, in-person workshop combines a short lecture with an interactive live demonstration. Participants will learn the fundamentals of digital storytelling with ArcGIS StoryMaps, including how to navigate the platform, structure a narrative, and incorporate maps, images, video, and other multimedia content. The workshop will also introduce basic design and accessibility principles and demonstrate how to publish and share a completed StoryMap.

During the live demonstration, we will build a StoryMap using real examples and show how to select an appropriate format, organize content, add and customize maps and multimedia, apply design and layout options, and publish the final story. Participants will be encouraged to follow along using their own StoryMaps account.

Code of Conduct: Map & Data Library (MDL) workshops are a welcoming and inclusive environment for learning. To learn more, check out our Code of Conduct.

Accessibility: The MDL is committed to making our workshops accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the workshop, please contact please contact Yeliz Baloglu Cengay (y.baloglu@utoronto.ca) to discuss options.