In 2006, the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) created an initiative to build Canada's capacity to conduct research on learning and invited not-for profit organizations to apply for Researcher in Residence grants.  ArtsSmarts was one of the successful grant applicant organizations and hired Saad Chahine to take on the Researcher In Residence role which commenced in June 2007. This interim report documents what has been accomplished during the first six months of the residency and provides direction for continuing to build ArtsSmarts' research capacity.