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art + craft + design in our community and beyond
ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Annual Report2013 - 14
2 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Year in Review
STUDENT SUPPORT• AcademicAdvisorhired
• StudentHandbookandStudentServicesDirectorydeveloped
• Strategyforraisingfundsforscholarshipsinitiated
• NewpaymentoptionusingAeroplancreditpointslaunched
• DegreeAuditsystemselected–tobeimplementedin2015
• FinancialAidandAwardsAdvisorpositioncreated
• ProposalcompletedforthedesignandbuildofaCreativeCommons–providingmodernlearningandcollaborativespace
FACULTY AND STAFF SUPPORT• Settlementsforcollectiveagreementsreached
DONOR PARTNERSHIPS• NewACADSquaresprogramestablished
ALUMNI RELATIONS• Strategyforalumnioutreachdeveloped,including
thecreationofnewawardsandscholarships
• Newagreementssignedforspecialalumniinsurancerates
• AlumniDiscoveryInitiativedevelopedandfunded–tobeimplementedin2015
COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH• Externalnewsletterdevelopedandlaunched
• CatalystMagazinedeliveredtoover8,000households
• Socialmediaengagementincreasedby100%
• SponsorshipsengagedwithSledIsland,TedX,CUFFandNuitBlanche
• 76+eventsplannedandorganizedwithcommunitygroups
• Newwebsitestarted-tobelaunchedinearly2015
• NewpartnershipscreatedwithAlbertaCulture,theCityofCalgary,theCityofAirdrie.
SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES
• ComprehensiveInstitutionalPlanwritten
• NewMFAprogramapproved–firstcohort2016
• FundingproposalsunderwayforredevelopmentofMainMall
• Strategicplandevelopmentprocessapprovedtodealwithbudgetshortfalls(seebelow)
• Collegeprogramsalignedwiththeneedsofindustryforknowledgeworkers
• Signatureprojectsannounced-CentrefortheCreativeEntrepreneur,InstitutefortheCreativeProcess,DiversityCentreofExcellence,ContentCreation/FilmCentre,andRuralEngagementPilotProjects
PRIORITY ONE: A STRONG ACADEMIC PLAN
• modernize,renewandalignthecurriculum
• reviewteachingandlearningenvironment
• identifynewandbetterwaystointegratestudentservices
PRIORITY TWO: A ROBUST ENROLLMENT GROWTH PLAN
• establishgrowththresholdsandnewprogramgrowth
PRIORITY THREE: A COMPREHENSIVE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
• communitystakeholders
• alllevelsofGovernment
• artsandculturalgroups
• branding
PRIORITY FOUR:
A FINANCIAL PLAN
TO SUPPORT
SUSTAINABILITY
• growthrequiredtobesustainable
• fundingmodelreview(tuitionlevelsandgrants)
PRIORITY FIVE: A SOLID SHORT AND LONG-TERM FACILITIES PLAN
• implementationoflearningspacerenewalsandupgradesthataccommodate21stcenturylearning
• capitalexpansion
Sustainability Strategic Planning Process launched:
12013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
COVER: ANDY NICHOLS PHOTOGRAPHY
Accountability Statement 2Board of Governors 2Management Responsibility for Reporting 2A Message from the Board Chair 3A Message from the President + CEO 4Operational Overview 5Performance Measures and Outcomes 10Highlights 13In the Community
ACAD Studio Artist in School Program 14Public Design Program 15
Molding the new generation – Our Faculty The Art of Dress Up – Dee Fontans 16Layers of Meaning – Martina Lantin 18Life in Context – Diana Sherlock 20Culture Shift – Julia Petrov 22Planting Seeds for Success – Kyle Chow 24The Power of Structure – Dennis Budgen 26Work of Body – Heather Huston 28Attached to Sustainable Design – Kerry Harmer 30
Creating change for tomorrow – Our StudentsNature, Tradition & Community – Tamara Himmelspach 32The Promise of Connection – Emily Promise Allison 34
Keeping the wheels in motion – Our management + support staffDan Barnfield 36Cathy Fadden 37Melissa Kern 38Lindsay Paul 39
Transforming the world – Our AlumniEducating Corrie – Corrie Hamm 40Border Crossings – Sarah Nordean 42United in Experience – Brittney Bear Hat 44Playing His Long Game – Carson Long 46Drawn to New York – Jillian and Lauren Tamaki 48Truch Be Told – The Truch Family 50Taking Manhattan – Debra Bishop 42Tough Love – Jennifer Vallis 54Critical Success – The Delichte Brothers 56
Reaping the rewards - Our Award RecipientsSpeak the Truth – Tammy McGrath 58No Voyage Home – Bev Tosh 60A League of His Own – Jeff de Boer 62A Wandering Talent – Elisabeth Belliveau 64
Nurturing art, growing creativity – Our Generous PartnersSpotlight: Enbridge Inc. 66Spotlight: The Calgary Foundation 68Spotlight: ACAD Squares 70
ACAD Awards + Accomplishments 71
Alberta College of Art + Design Financial Statements 73 Independent Auditor’s Report 74Management Discussion + Analysis 75Statements of Financial Position 78Statements of Operations 79Statements of Cash Flows 80Statement of Re-measurement Gains and Losses 81Notes to the Financial Statements 82
ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
1407 - 14 AVE NW CALGARY, ALBERTA CANADA
T2N 4R3
403.284.6238 WWW.ACAD.CA
2 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Management Responsibility for Reporting The Alberta College of Art and Design’s management is responsible for the preparation, accuracy, objectivity and
integrity of the information contained in the Annual Report - including financial statements, performance measures,
and supporting management information. Systems of internal control are designed and maintained by management
to produce reliable information that meets reporting requirements. The system is designed to provide management
with reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized and executed in accordance with all relevant
legislation, regulations and policies, that reliable financial records are maintained, and that assets are properly
accounted for and safeguarded.
The Annual Report has been developed under the oversight of the Board of Governors and is prepared in accordance
with the Fiscal Management Act and the Post-Secondary Learning Act. The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards. The Auditor General of the
Province of Alberta, the institution’s external auditor appointed under the Auditor General’s Act, performs an annual
independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with general accepted auditing standards.
Dr. Daniel Doz Donald Dart
President and CEO Sr. Vice President,
Finance and Administration
Accountability StatementDecember 31, 2014
The Alberta College of Art and Design’s annual report for the year ended June 30, 2014 was prepared under the
direction of ACAD’s Board of Governors, in accordance with the Fiscal Management Act and ministerial guidelines
established pursuant to the Fiscal Management Act. All material economic, environmental and fiscal information of
which we are aware has been considered in the preparation of this report.
M. Carol Ryder
Chair, ACAD Board of Governors
James Peacock, QCChair
Dan BarnfieldNon-AcademicStaffMember
Dr. Daniel DozPresidentandCEO
Greg ForrestPublicMember
Ian Fitzgerald FacultyRepresentative
Margaret-Jean Mannix Vice-Chair
Cynthia P. Moore PublicMember
Sheila O’Brien PublicMember
Natasha Pashak PublicMemberandAlumnae
Carol Ryder PublicMember
James Stanford PublicMember
Susan ThomasPublicMember
Sue Anne ValentinePublicMember(retiredDecember2013)
Teresa Tam StudentMember
*AS AT JUNE 30, 2014
Board of Governors*
32013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
OneofACAD’sstrategicgoalsisStewardship and Sustainability,challengingtheCollegeanditscollaboratorstoembraceprosperityobjectivesdesignedtobothmaketodaybetterandtoinspireanewenergywithintheinstitution.Prosperityinthiscontextreachesbeyondmonetarygainandisunderstoodthroughabroader,balancedandinterdependentlensthatmeasuresincrementalsuccessesaseconomicprosperity,socialprosperityandculturalprosperity.
The2013-2014AnnualReportfocusesonthesustainabilityoftheCollegeandhowwearebuildingthecapacitytocontinuetobeavitalcatalystinthecreativethinkingandenergyofourCity,ourProvinceandglobally.Wehavean88-yearhistoryofsuccessandtheprofileswithinthisreporttellthestoryofhowartistsanddesignersshapeourcommunities,provideinnovationintoday’sknowledgeeconomy,andcreatecontentthatinfluencestheworldaroundus.
Aswereflectontheyearandouraccomplishments,itisclearthatwehaveanexcitingfuture.Iinviteyoutobeapartofthatfuture.
M.CarolRyderChair,BoardofGovernors
A Message from the Board Chair
4 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Weoftentalkabout“What”wedotohelpourstudentsrealizetheirpotentialinart,craftanddesignmostnotably,providethelearningtoolsandthedisciplineofpracticeforourstudents.Whatisoftenmoredifficulttoarticulate,isthe“Why”ACADexists?WhatisourinstitutionalimpactontheAlbertalandscapeandwhatistheimpactourgraduateshaveontheeconomic,socialandculturalprosperityoftheProvince.
Thereisnodoubtthatourstudents,faculty,staffandalumnihavepositivelyandsignificantlyimpactedissuesrelatedtowellbeing,corporateinnovation,effectivecommunication,enhancementofpublicspaces,andeducation.Wehavefirst-handevidence,asyouwillseewhenyoureadthroughtheinspiringstoriesinthepagesofthisreport,thatbyembracingthecreativitythatisallaroundus,wewilllivericherandmorerewardinglives.
Weinviteyoutoreadaboutouraccomplishmentsoverthepastyear.Wealsochallengeyoutoexplorethecreativitythatisinyouandaroundyou,makingtheconnectionbetweenhowtheexperienceofartanddesignismakingyourlifeandtheworldallaroundusbetter
Dr.DanielDozPresident+CEO
A Message from the President + CEO
52013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Foundedin1926,ACADhasbeenamajorcontributortoCanada’svisualcultureinthe20thcentury,withmanyofitsgraduatesgainingsignificantnationalandinternationalreputationsasartists,designersandcreativeleaders.Withanannualgrantofjustover$12million,anannualbudgetof$20.6millionandemployingover200staff,ACADprovidesaccrediteddegree-standardeducationandlearningopportunitiesto1,200studentsenrolledinfull-andpart-timestudiesinawiderangeofart,craftanddesignstudiodisciplines.ThisyearmarkedamajormilestoneforACAD.Inadditiontoofferingcredentialedundergraduatedegreesinavarietyofprogramareas,theCollegewasapprovedtoofferitsfirstgraduateprogram,aMastersofFineArtinCraftMedia,makingittheonlycollegeintheProvincetoofferandconferuniversity-levelundergraduateandnow,graduatedegreeprograms.
ACADisoneofonlyfourartanddesignschoolsinthecountryanditistheonlycollegeintheProvincewithaprovincialmandatetodeliverartanddesigneducation.TheCollegeisalsooneoftheonlyCanadianspecializedartanddesignhighereducationinstitutionstobeentirelyaccreditedbytheNationalAssociationofSchoolsofArtandDesign(NASAD).ThisinternationaldesignationopensnewpathsforACADundergraduatestudentstopursuegraduatedegreesandbringsnewstudentstoAlberta.BroadeninginternationaloutlookandinternationalizingaCVarecompetitiveadvantagesindemandbyorganizationswhilealigningwiththeAlbertagovernment’sdesireforAlbertanstobeglobalcitizens.
Finally,theCollegeisrankedasoneofthetoppost-secondaryinstitutionsinjobplacementandcareersatisfactionparticularlyinthedesigndegreeprogramswhere95%ofourgraduatesfindemploymentwithinthefirstyearofgraduating.IthasalsobeenhometosomeofthemostexcitingandauthoritativevoicesinCanadianartwithmanyprofoundlyshapingthecontemporaryartmovementnotonlyinAlbertaandCanadabutaroundtheworld.Infact,ACADhasmoreGovernorGeneralAwardwinnersthananyotherpost-secondaryinstitutioninCanadaandourdesignstudentswinmoreprestigiousawardsthananyotherartanddesignschoolinNorthAmerica.
Operational Overview
6 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
ACAD VISION STATEMENT
TheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designwillbeapreeminentcatalystinstitutionforculturaldevelopmentlocally,provincially,nationallyandinternationally.Wewillmanifestunconditionalexcellenceinourprograms,practicesandpoliciesinalaboratoryenvironmentthatiscommittedtounconstrainedinquiryandcollegiality.Asaplaceofculturalresearch,weareallcolleaguesonajourneyofdiscoverywhileenhancingourleadershiprolewithintheculturalfield.Weaspireonlytothehighestlevelofexcellenceinwhatweendeavor,measurednotbyourpastaccomplishmentsbutbyourimaginationsandwhatishumanlypossible.
ACAD MISSION STATEMENT
TheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designisaleadingcentreforeducationandresearch,andacatalystforcreativeinquiryandculturaldevelopment.Weengagetheworldandcreatepossibilities.
VALUES
ThemembersoftheACADcommunityholdasetofcomplementaryvaluesthatarefundamentaltotheCollege’sidentityandoperations.
• Wevaluethecreativeprocessandallthatisimpliedbythat.
• Wearedeeplycommittedtoexperimentation,freeinquiry,research,andtheevolutionofculture.
• Wedemandexcellenceinourpractices,oursupportforourstudents,facultyandstaffandourexternalcommunities.
• Oursupportforhumanandprofessionaldevelopmentisreflectedinourpolicies,practicesandprograms.
• Wevalueourroleinthesociety;weseekinnovativepathsforparticipationfortheCollege,ourstudents,alumniandfacultyandstaff.
• Wevaluethejoyandgoodhumorthatderivesfrombeingacreativeinstitution;webelieveinacelebrationofourcreativeprocesses.
• Wevaluecalculatedrisk-takingandentrepreneurship.
• Wearealllearners,workingtogetherinatransparentenvironmentthatiswillingtoembracechange.
• Wevaluediversityinallrespects,includingphilosophical,cultural,lifestyle,aswellasdefinitionsthataremoreconventional.
72013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Background image: Sarah Nordean, Walking Loops
Average Studio Size 15
STUDENTS
took extended studies classes for credit(2013/14 academic year)
213STUDENTS
SCHOOL PROGRAM
School of Visual Arts
School of Communication Design
School of Critical and Creative Studies
Sculpture Drawing
Photography Painting
Print Media
Illustration
Communication
Design
Liberal
Studies
Ceramics Fibre Glass
Jewellery + Metals
Media Arts + Digital Technologies
School of Craft and Emerging Media
Schools +Program Areas
Bachelor of Design
69
122
Bachelorof Fine Arts
54 CRAFT +
EMERGING MEDIA
52 COMMUNICATION
DESIGN
85 VISUAL ARTS
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Inforgraphic2014_AR.pdf 2 2014-12-11 12:38 PM
8 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
CHINA 13
SOUTH KOREA
3INDIA
2
Top 5 Countries
18 - 24
Total graduates
191alumniover 7,500
KENYA
5
International
Age
Gender
Full/part time students67
Total students
1,225 (enrolled in 2014 Fall session)
(enrolled in 2014 Fall session)
By program area
BFA BFA BFABFA BFA BFA BFA BFA BFA BDES BDES
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part time23%
full time
(3 or more courses)
77%
male28%
female72%
VENEZUELA
4
0 - 17 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55+
1.5%1.5%3%
77%
15%3%
Canadian Citizens + Permanent Residents: $4,479.90 for 1 year of study
International Students:for 1 year of study$14,499.90
Tuition(2013/14 academic year,
full course load)
Graduates of 2014(May 2014 graduating class)
Studentsin 2014
$414,000(in 2014)
Scholarships
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Inforgraphic2014_AR.pdf 1 2014-12-11 12:38 PM
92013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
CHINA 13
SOUTH KOREA
3INDIA
2
Top 5 Countries
18 - 24
Total graduates
191alumniover 7,500
KENYA
5
International
Age
Gender
Full/part time students67
Total students
1,225 (enrolled in 2014 Fall session)
(enrolled in 2014 Fall session)
By program area
BFA BFA BFABFA BFA BFA BFA BFA BFA BDES BDES
CE
RA
MIC
S
DR
AW
ING
PA
INT
ING
PR
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ME
DIA
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11 11 117
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8 7
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part time23%
full time
(3 or more courses)
77%
male28%
female72%
VENEZUELA
4
0 - 17 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55+
1.5%1.5%3%
77%
15%3%
Canadian Citizens + Permanent Residents: $4,479.90 for 1 year of study
International Students:for 1 year of study$14,499.90
Tuition(2013/14 academic year,
full course load)
Graduates of 2014(May 2014 graduating class)
Studentsin 2014
$414,000(in 2014)
Scholarships
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Inforgraphic2014_AR.pdf 1 2014-12-11 12:38 PM
10 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
2013-2014wasthefirstfullyearofourrollingComprehensiveInstitutionalPlan(CIP),aplandevelopedbasedontheCollege’sStrategicPlan:InspiringPassionateLearningapprovedlatein2012.MuchhasbeendonesincetheapprovalofthestrategicplanandthisfoundationalchangehasshapedsignificantopportunitiesfortheCollegebothinsideandoutandhasfocusedattentiononcreatingthebeststudentlearningexperience;anexperiencethatisinternationallyrecognizedasoneoftheleadingandmostrespectedvoicesforart,craftanddesignintheworld.BelowarehighlightsofsomeoftheinitiativesundertakenbyCollegestaffandfacultyinsupportofournewstrategicdirections.
Performance Measures and Outcomes
REALIZING STUDENT POTENTIAL IN ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN
In2013-2014,we:
• Setandmettargetsfordomestic,internationalandunderrepresentedstudentpopulations–(9.2%aboriginalstudentbody).
• Optimizedschedulingtimetableandsawchangestoenrollmentinhighdemandprograms.
• Increasedresponsetimetoapplicantsthroughtheadmissionsprocess.
• Alignedclassroomsizetofitcurrentfacilitiesthrougharegistrardirectedroomaudit.
• InitiatedtheCreativeCommonsprojectaspartofourteachingandlearningstrategy.
• Creatednewrecruitmentcollateralincludingaviewbook.
• Continuedtorecruitnationallyandprovincially.
• Continuedtoconductportfolioreviewsinkeytargetareas.
• DevelopedaspecificrecruitmentstrategyforthenewMFAgraduateprogram.
• Initiatedareviewofallpoliciesandprocedures.
• EstablishedamentalhealthTaskForcewithACADSA.
• Initiatedacollege-wideacademicadvisingstrategyandhiredanewadvisor.
• Hiredarecentgraduatetodevelopanewstudenthandbook.
• Initiatedanewstudentorientationcommitteeanddevelopedaneworientationprogramforstudents.
• Identifiedandinitiatedtwonewsupportprogramsforstudents.
• Submittedandreceivedapprovalandfundingfortwo2+2degreecompletionprogramsanddualcreditopportunitieswiththeCalgaryBoardofEducation.
• ComprehensivereviewofawardsandscholarshipscompletedandrecommendationsimplementedincludingthehiringofadedicatedFinancialAidandAwardsAdvisor.
• CompletedreviewofAlumnirelations.
GOAL ONE
112013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
DELIVERING PROGRAM EXCELLENCE AND PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF RESEARCH AND CREATIVITY
In2013-2014,we:
• Completedaten-yearhiringplanforacademicaffairs,onethatachievesandmaintainsratio.
• Implementedteaching,researchandleadershipawards.
• EstablishedaResearchEthicsBoard.
• ImplementedAcademicRank.
• Reviewedandupdated12existingpolicyandproceduresincludingfacultyevaluation,minors,curriculumchanges,programsuspension,andresearchethics,etc.
• Continuedtodevelopthevisitingartist/scholarprogram.
• DevelopednewpartnershipswithAmbroseUniversity,OldsCollege,RedDeerCollege,TheAlbertaLibrary.
• ImplementedMoodlecampus-wide.
• EstablishedanewAcademicCouncilstructure.
• ReceivedapprovalfortheMFAgraduateprogram.
• OfferedthefirstprogramfromtheEducatorsArtInstitute.
• OfferedalargenumberofexhibitionsandsymposiumsthroughtheIKG.
GOAL TWO
12 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
GOAL THREE
GOAL FOUR
INSPIRING CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN THE COMMUNITIES WE ENGAGE
In2013-2014,we:
• Establishedanewgovernmentrelationscommitteeanddevelopedanewstrategy.
• WorkedwithCampusCalgaryinstitutionsonanumberofinitiatives.
• Reviewedthemandateandrolesdocument.
• DevelopeddiscussionpapersforanumberofACADcentresofexcellence.
• ContinuedtoworkontheCentrefortheCreativeEntrepreneur.
• IdentifiedfundingsourceforAboriginalinitiatives.
• Developedandimplementedanewawarenessandrecruitmentstrategy.
• Initiatedanewwebsiteproject:Publicwebsite,InfoLabandStudentPortal.
• CompletedandwidelydistributedtheCatalystmagazine.
• Updateddonordatabase.
• Developedafunddevelopmentstrategy.
• Hosted76eventsbothinternalandexternal.
• LaunchedACADSquares.
• Launched“intheMaking”,ourfirstalumnishow.
• DevelopedandfundedDiscoveryInitiativewithalumni.
• DevelopedandinitiatedSustainabilityPlanningprocess.
• Reviewedallendowments.
ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR RESOURCES
In2013-2014,we:
• Implementedleadershiptraining.
• EnhancedhumanresourcepracticeswithintheCollege.
• Completedemergencynotificationsystem.
• Implementedaudititems.
• CompletedhighlevelplanningfortheCreativeCommonsprojectintheMainMall.
• Developedandimplementedanumberofinstitutionalpoliciesandprocedures.
132013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Alumni,faculty,studentsandstaffcontinuetomakeasignificantdifferenceandcontributiontothesocialandculturalprosperityoftheProvinceandnation.TheCollegeisrankedasoneofthetoppost-secondaryinstitutionsinjobplacementandcareersatisfactionparticularlyinthedesigndegreeprogramswhere95%ofitsgraduatesfindemploymentwithinthefirstyearofgraduating.CriticalMass,forexample,isaninternationaladvertisingandmarketingagencyinCalgarywithclientssuchasNissanandNike.Thisfirm,startedbyanACADgraduate,continuestohireasignificantnumberofACADgraduateseachandeveryyearand,employsover1,000individualsworldwide.F&DSceneChangesLtd.issupportingAlberta’sthrivingfilmindustryandbuildingbackdropsforBroadwayandsupportingemploymentopportunitiesforACADgraduates.HeavyIndustriesisfabricatingmetalworksacrosstheprovinceandsupportingtheimportantworksofartistssuchasthebirdsnestintheEskerFoundation,the“Head”sculptureinfrontoftheBowbuildingandotherpublicartsuchastheBlueRing.
Ourinstitutionmattersandforover88years,wehavebeeneducatingcreativeandculturalleaders.TheCollegehasearnedareputationofprovidingapremierestudio-
basedenvironmentthatallows“Creatives”toexploreself-expression,refinetheirartisticanddesigntalentsandmostimportantly,think“outsidethebox”.Ourexperentiallearningenvironmentfacilitatesinnovativethinkingandcreativeproblemsolving.Weprovidethemwithacombinedprofessionalanduniversity-levelenvironmentthatinspiresthemtoachievetheirfullpotential.
Over7,500strong,ACADgraduatesbecauseoftheiruniversity-leveleducation,goontoMAandPhDprogramsaroundtheworld,toteachatinternationallyrecognizedartanddesigninstitutionsandtoengageinprofessionalandfulfillingcareersasartists;filmproducers;architects;digital,industrialandmediadesigners;animatorsandgamedesigners;communicators;administratorsand,yes,CEO’s.ManyofourgraduatesarealsoactivelyengagedontheinternationalstagebringingprofiletotheCollegeinveryconcreteways.
Thestoriesthatfollowdocumentouryearandtellthetalesofourgraduates,ourfaculty,ourstudentsandouralumni;howtheyarecreatingandcontributingtoastrongfoundationtobuildabetterAlberta;anAlbertathatpresentsaglobalculturalimagedefinedbycreativity,artsandculture,entrepreneurship,andleadingedgeproblemsolvinganddesign.
HighlightsJuly 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
14 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
In the Community
TheACADStudioArtistinSchool(SAIS)Programisaone-of-a-kindpartnershipwiththeCalgaryBoardofEducation(CBE)that
promotesartsfacilitatedlearning,augmentsstudentlearningandengagement,andexemplifiestheintegratedandinterdisciplinaryfutureofartseducationinAlberta.TheinitiativeplacesrecentACADgraduatesasStudioArtistsintoschoolsthroughoutCalgary.
Theprogramhasbeenahugesuccess,generatingsubstantialbenefitsfortheschoolsandstudioartistsincluding:
• enhancementoftheschools’capacitytoincorporateartanddesignactivityintocurriculumlearningandextracurricularpursuits
• studioshavebecomegatheringplacesfordiscussion,criticalthinkingandthegenerationofnewideas
• art-basedactivities(e.g.,visualart,music,danceanddrama,photography,creativewriting)providestudentswithanalternativewaytoengagewithcorecurriculumsubjects(Science,Math,EnglishandSocialStudies),emphasizinghands-oninquiry,exploration,experimentation,communication,reflectionandpersonalengagementthroughartisticmedia
• art-makingfostersskillsincriticalthinking,problem-solving,creativeinnovation,digitalandtechnologicalfluency,collaborationandleadership
• providesrecentACADalumniwithvaluablepost-graduateemployment,realworldexperience,andachancetodevelopnotonlytheircreativepracticebuttheirteachingandfacilitationskills.
Studioartistsarehand-selectedforparticipationintheSAISprogrambyACADandCBEfromthepoolofrecentACADgraduates.Artistsarefinanciallysupported(viahonorarium)andinsuredbytheCollege,andenjoycontinuedaccesstoACADfacilities.Severaloftheartistshavenotedthattheexperiencehasgiventhemanunprecedentedopportunitytointeractwiththecommunityinnewways,topresenttheirworkinnewvenuesandtoreceivefeedbackfromabroaderaudience.
Perhapsthestudentssumitupbest:
Student: “She (the artist) has a lot of great ideas, great big crazy ideas. She makes things happen...I like to go where she’s working to watch her work...She helps me be more creative and she inspires me. She’s a big role model. It feeds our minds and makes us want to do crazy things too.”
Student: “I’ve let my creative juices flow more. I notice myself having more ideas and I’m opening myself to letting those ideas in. I was more enclosed before. There was like something in front of me saying, “don’t go there.” Now I notice myself going there. It’s a gift.”
TosupporttheACADStudioinSchoolsProgrampleaseemaildonations@acad.caorcall403-284-6238.
ACAD STUDIO ARTIST IN SCHOOL PROGRAM
Building Bridges, Promoting Creativity
Photos courtesy of ACAD
152013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
PUBLIC DESIGN PROGRAM
Formorethan20years,ACAD’sPublicDesignProgramhasworkedwithnot-for-profitclientsfromacrosstheprovince.OrganizationsrangingfromtheAlbertaChildren’sHospital,theCanadianRedCrossandtheCalgaryBoardofEducationhavebenefitedfromtheworkofagenerationofCommunicationDesignstudents.
OriginallyinspiredbythepracticumprojectattheSchoolofVisualArtsinNewYork,ACAD’sPublicDesignProgrampairsfourth-yearstudentsfromtheSchoolofCommunicationDesignwithclientswhoapplytoparticipate,andhavebeenapprovedby,courseinstructors.Studentsgetrealclientsandclientsgethigh-qualitydesigncommunicationsforafeeof$500.00perstudent.
“Theprogramgivesstudentsvaluableclient-relationexperience,”explainsIanFitzgerald,ACADfacultymemberandoneofthedrivingforcesbehindtheprogram.“Thechosenorganizationsgainafreshperspectivefromstudentswithnearprofessionalskilllevelswhilecontributingtoaveryworthwhileeducationexperiencethatisallwrappedupinacost-effectivepackage.”
StudentMeghanFenske,whohasbeenworkingonacampaignwiththeAlbertaCivilLibertiesResearchCentreagrees.
“ThePublicDesignProgramhasbeenanenrichingexperiencebecauseithasgivenmetheopportunitytoworkwithrealclientswhilehavingguidancefrommyinstructorwhoisaprofessionalinthefield.”
“WithwhatI’velearned,Ifeelconfidentinworkingwithclientsinthefuture.”
Partofthesuccessoftheprogramisdrivenbythefactthatitgivesstudentspracticalexperienceinachievingsolutionstoactualcreativecommunicationandgraphicdesignproblemswhileprovidingcharitablearts,service,community,environmentalandnot-for-profitorganizationsthebenefitofqualitydesignassistanceatareasonableprice.
Young,energeticandtalentedstudentsareassignedtoworkcloselywithorganizationsontheirproject.Facultyinstructorsoverseetheprocesstoensurequalityworkiscreated,andthatdeadlinesandbudgetsaremet.Thisisapracticumexperienceforstudents.Thecoursehelpsthemtodevelopprofessionalismbyusingbusinessandinterpersonalskillswithclients,fellowstudents,instructors,printersandothersuppliers.
FormoreinformationonACAD’sPublicDesignProgrampleasevisitacadpublicdesign.ca.
Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, poster designed by Meghan Fenske, student in the Public Design Program, ACAD
16 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Dee Fontans
DeeFontans’passionforwearableartgoesbacktoherchildhood,growingupasaPuertoRicanAmericaninNewJersey.“Iwasaboutfiveandstarteddressingupinallkindsofcrazythings,puttingeverythingonmyhead,”sherecalls.
ThepassionenduredasshestudiedjewelleryandfashiondesignatNewYork’sParsonsTheNewSchoolforDesign,andthenreceivedherBFAdegreefromtheStateUniversityofNewYorkatNewPaltz.InherlastyearatNewPaltz,doingherjewelleryworkingoldandsilver,she
brokeherhandinapolishingmachine,makingitdifficulttocompleteherfinalwork.
Ratherthanbeingdiscouraged,Fontansrevealedanadaptability,ablithego-with-the-flowattitudethathasbecomehersignature.Shedecidedtoexplorealternativematerials,suchasrubber,paper,plasticgelsandevenfoods.Shestartedtousetheseforherfirstwearableartexhibitin1985,andhasbeendressingupsuccessfullyeversince.
FontanscametoCalgaryin1988,theyearofthecity’sWinterOlympics,andthetownwasquicklyenergizedbyher
whirlwindpresenceasshethrewherselfintothelocalartscommunity.ShemadeaconnectionwiththeAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design,whereapart-timegigteachinginExtendedStudiesseguedintoacontractsessionalposition,teachingintheJewellery+Metalsprogram,andtheWearableArtcourse.
Withcross-disciplinaryzeal,shehasbecomeacreativeforcetobereckonedwith,asajeweller,enamellist,performanceartist,fashiondesignerandevenapoet.Shetakesherroleas“culturalambassador”seriously(shewasnamedassuchwhenCalgary
THE ART OF DRESS UP
As a device to explore society, Dee Fontans uses the human form as subject
matter and canvas for her Wearable Art.
SCHOOL OF CRAFT + EMERGING MEDIA
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
172013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
becameCanada’s“culturalcapital”in2012),connectingtothepublicthroughexhibits,televisionandsocialmediatocreateengagement.
FontansproducesartworkunderthetitleofOutingTheBody,whoserelatedpiecesfusetogetherjewellery,fashionandperformanceart,investigatingtherelationshipsbetweentheart,wearerandaudience.Shehasorganizedart-fashionperformancesatArtCentralandArtGalleryofCalgaryandtheEPCORCentreforthePerformingArts.Andin2000,shepartneredwithagroupofACADstudentstoproducethefirstArtWEARness,“across-disciplinarywearableartexhibitioninmotion.”
ArtWEARnesshasbeenruneveryyearsince,typicallyviewedbyaudiencesofmorethan800.
Asaneducator,Fontanshastakenhercreativespirit,driveandexperienceintotheclassroomtoinspireandengagestudents.“Iwanttonurturetheircreativespirits,”shesays.“Iletthestudentsdowhattheyneedtodoandguidethemonthatjourney.Ibelieveinhelpingtocreatepeakperformers—peoplewhodoabsolutelythebesttheycanwiththeskillstheyhave.”
Whilebecomingapeakperformerdoesn’tnecessarilyguaranteestudentswillmakeacareerofart,shepointsoutthatthiskindofeducationprepares
them“forabetter,moreenlightenedlife.Whattheydevelopasartistscanbeeasilytransferredintootherareasoftheirlives.”
Whenitcomestoherownpractice,Fontanshasnoshortageofideas,transformingobjectsandobsessionsfromherordinarylifeintowearableart.SheisworkingonexpandingherPumpingFashionseries,aimedatthosewitha“bikefaddish”andapenchantfor“ridingontheedge.”Sheturnsbikepartsintoeco-friendlygarb,suchasinner-tubebracelets,sprocketnecklaces,inner-tubegarmentsanda“fascinatorwithlights.”
Top left: Pumping Fashion Martini, 2013, made from up-cycled bike parts–inner tubes, sprockets, chain, stainless steel. Photo: Joe Kelly
Top centre: Bike Love, from the Pumping Fashion series made with rose quartz and silver. Photo: Joe Kelly
Right: Sprocket, from the Pumping Fashion series made with blue agate, brass chain + sprocket. Photo: Joe Kelly
Bottom left: Tea Set, from the Wearable Edible series made from tea bags, silver, and magnets. Photo: Charles Lewton-Brain
18 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
SCHOOL OF CRAFT + EMERGING MEDIA
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
ForMartinaLantin,creatingearthenwarepotteryisa“continualprocessofcallandresponse.”Astheartistmakespotteryshetries“tomaintainastateofmindfulnessandactivemaking.”
Theresultisa“handmadeobjectthatstepsoutsidetheordinary,whileremainingautilitarianobject.Ihopeitgivestheuserpauseandtheopportunitytoseetheirsurroundingsmoredistinctly,”saysLantin,“andthatitwillencouragethemtoexplorefurther.Perhapsitsformwillcatchtheireyeayearlaterorfiveyearslater,justbecauseofthewaylightishittingitatthatmoment.”
Thereisagoodchanceitwill,asLantinhasbeenperfectinghercraftoverthelast20-plusyears,combiningtraditionaltechniquesandmaterialswithtoday’smoderntechnologyandaccesstoinformation.Herworkfallsintotwostreams.
Oneisthemakingoffunctionalobjectsthatcaneasilybeintegratedintoobjectsinthehome.Theotherisherinstallationwork,wheresheharnessesherresearchintothehistoryofceramicsandbringsthatforwardintoa21stcenturycontext.
Lantin’seducationandcareerthusfarhasbeenasfluidashertechniqueonthepotter’swheel.Afterstudyingceramics,sculptureandearlyRenaissancearthistoryattheStudioArtCenterInternationalinFlorence,theMontrealnativewentontogetherBachelorofArtfromEarlhamCollegeinRichmond,Indiana,didpost-baccalaureatestudyatEUCSYDinDenmarkandreceivedherMasterofFineArt–CraftfromNSCADUniversity.
Duringherearlycareer,Lantinfoundherselfwithoutaccesstowoodkilns,theatmospherichigh-temperaturekilnsthat
Martina LantinLAYERS OF MEANING
Martina Lantin uses a multilayered process to impart surface beauty
and tell a successive narrative on her asymmetrical earthenware art.
Photo location: Junktiques Ltd.
192013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
hadbeenthecentralfocusofherpractice.Soshebegantoconcentrateonearthenware,amore‘portable’mediumoftenfiredinelectrickilns.Themoresheexplored,themoreshefellinlovewiththefine-grainedrichnessofwhatshecalls“chocolateporcelain.”
“Withotherfiringtechniquesthecolouroftenexistsintheglazeandthatglazesitsontopoftheclay,”sheexplains.“WithearthenwareIwasreallyinterestedinhowthesurfaceoftheactualmaterialscaninteract.Inowusemultiplelayersofslips[liquidclays]andglazestointegratewithintheclaylayer.Throughthesematerials,asuccessivenarrativeisbuiltonthesurfaces.”
Earlierthisyear,LantinstartedteachingawiderangeofceramicscoursesatACAD.Beginningwiththeintroductorycourses,shetriestomakethelessonslessaboutrulestofollow
andmoreaboutgivingthestudentsachancetoexplorethroughplayandfindnew,individualizedresolutions.
Lantin’sownworkinprogresscontinuestoincorporateplayandexploration.SheisworkingwithaU.S.arthistoriantoturninvestigationsofearlyOttomanarchitecturaltilesintostudiorecreations.SheisalsopreparingforanexhibitofherworkatACADinthespring.
Lantinwantstoimparttoherstudents“anattentivesenseofadventure,”backedbyastrongworkethic,tocarrythemthroughthetimestheymayfeeldoubtabouttheircreativepaths.“Ifsomeoneisdiscouraged,Itellthemthattheyneedtofollowtheirheart,”shesays.“Youhavetostaytruetowhatfeedsyouasanindividualandfindawaytomakethatwork.It’squestionofsustainability.What’ssustainableforyouasanindividual,intermsofyourlifechoices?”
20 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Diana Sherlock
LIFE IN CONTEXT
Diana Sherlock believes in turning students into independent and creative
thinkers, so they are prepared for a fast-changing and challenging world.
DianaSherlockisdedicatedtohelpingstudentslivetheirlivesandcareersin“context.”“That’swhatarttheoryandarthistorydo,”saystheinstructorintheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design’sCritical+CreativeStudiesDepartment.“Theyallowustothinkaboutwhatwedoinabroadercontextandtodevelopvocabularysoweareabletoarticulatewhatwemakeandwhywemakeit.”
ToputSherlock’sownprofessionallifeintocontext,shegraduatedfromthearthistoryandstudioprogramsattheUniversityofCalgaryinthemid-1990s
andwentontoexhibitherinstallationart.Butherinvolvementinartist-runcultureledtoagrowinginterestincuratorialpracticeandvisualartscriticism,writingforavarietyofartpublicationsandexhibitioncatalogues.
Sherlockhasservedonseveralartist-runcentresandcommunityartsboards,ofteninthecapacityofprogrammingcoordinatoranddirector.Asafreelancecurator,shehasproducedexhibitionswithStrideGallery,Calgaryandco-curatedtheAlbertaBiennialofContemporaryArt2002fortheEdmontonArtGallery(nowtheArt
GalleryofAlberta).In2003,sheguestcuratedtheSuperModernWorldofBeautyexhibitionfortheBanffCentre’sWalterPhillipsGallery.
Andsince2001,shehastaughtatACAD,drawingonherexperienceinprofessionalartsadministrationandcuratorialpracticeforhercoursematerial.Sheoftenfocusesspecificallyondisplayculturesandmuseumandexhibitionpractices,whichexamine“howwepresentthingsandhowthatchangesoraffectsthemeaningsofthosethings.”
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
SCHOOL OF CRITICAL + CREATIVE STUDIES
21Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
SherlockbelievesthatwhatACADdoesbestistoturnstudentsintoindependentandcreativethinkers,anecessityinafast-changing,challengingworld.“We’renolongerinastableeconomicandpoliticalsituationwhereyoucangetajobthatlastsfor25yearsandretirewithapension,”sheexplains.“Allcareerpathstodayinvolverisk.Peoplehavetothinkquicklyandcreativelyontheirfeetandbeabletobringnewthingstothetable.Creativethinkers,thoughtheymaybemakingmaterialobjects,areprimarilyengagedinaknowledgeeconomy.Theyhelpbringcreativeanddiversesolutionstomanyoftheworld’sproblems.”
LikemostACADinstructors,Sherlockisabletostayrelevanttostudentsbecauseshestaysbusywithherownprofessionalpracticeasacuratorandcriticalwriter.SheiscurrentlycompletingacataloguefortheIn the MakingexhibitionshecuratedfortheIllingworthKerrGalleryatACADlastyear.Sheisalsopursuingresearchforaproject,whichexaminesthehistoryof,andconnectionsbetween,theWestGermanCeramicsindustryandtheceramicclayindustriesinSouthernAlbertaintheearlyandmid-20thcentury.
ForSherlockthevalueofanarteducationislessaboutthemonetaryrichesitmaybring,andmoreaboutitsintangibleinteriorvalues.
“Artandculturehelpustoleadfullerlives,”sheexplains.“Itcanmakeusmoreknowledgeable,richerhumanbeings,andourstudentswillbeabletocontributebacktosocietyandcultureinimportantwayswemightnotevenbeabletoidentifyyet.Theyhavethecapacitytodevelopnewmodels,newwaysoflivingandnewwaysofworking,andsomaytakeonchallengesthatseeminsurmountabletoothers.”
22 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
SCHOOL OF CRITICAL + CREATIVE STUDIES
Julia PetrovCULTURE SHIFT
Calgary is no longer just a base
for exploring the mountains. Julia
Petrov believes that a vibrant art
and culture scene is transforming
people’s experience of the city.
JuliaPetrovnoticedamarkedshiftintheculturalclimateofherhometown.ShehadreturnedtoCalgaryin2012,afterreceivingherMAinHistoryofDesignandMaterialCultureattheUniversityofBrighton,inEnglandandherPhDfromtheUniversityofLeicester.
“ThecityusedtobeaplacewhereIfeltlikeanoutsiderforvaluingthingslikecultureandart,”shesays.“ButInoticedthatmanyofmypeerswhohadgoneawaybecausetherewasnothingfortheminthecityhavebeguntocomeback,becausethingshavechanged.”
Sheadds:“NewartistsfindtheycanstayinCalgary,andthattheycanhaveasustainablefuture,intermsoffindinga
careerandanicheforthemselves.ACAD,withitsgraduates,hasreallyhelpedtofuelthisshift.”
PetrovpointsoutthatpeopleattractedtoCalgaryfortheeconomicboom,fromVancouver,Torontoandotherpartsofthecountry,bringwiththemexpectationsaboutfestivals,artgalleriesandotherthingstodoculturally.“Peoplehaveachoiceofplaceswheretheylive,”sheexplains.“Acityhastooffermorethangoodjobs.Therehastobethingsthatpeoplecandoontheiroffdays.”
Inheroffdays,Petrovismostlikelytobethinkingaboutfashionsdisplayedinglasscases.“I’mreallyinterestedinfashionandtheintersectionoffashionasanobjectinmuseums,”shesays.“Oncesomeonehasstoppedwearingsomethingandit’sinamuseum,howdoestheinstitutionteachaboutwhatitwasliketowearit?”
Thisisaquestionthatherstudentscananswer,sincePetrovhasservedasasessionalinstructorinAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design’sCriticalandCreativeStudiesDepartmentforthelasttwoyears.Sheteachesarthistory,visualculture,humanitiestheoryandmaterialculture.
23Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Hercourseshelpstudentsfindtheirplaceinthelargerartuniverse,whetherit’sbydiscoveringtheyarepartofaheritageandtradition,orunderstandinghowdifferentphilosophicalapproachesandcriticaltheorieshelpthemtoseetheworldinnewways.
“Studentsincraftcoursesalsobenefitfromthis,”shesays.“Inmaterialculture,Ishowthemthedifferentwaysinwhichhumanbeingsinteractwiththematerialworldandthewaythatobjectscanhelpustounderstandcultureandsociety.Sowhentheyreturntotheirpractice,theycan,Ihope,usesomeoftheseapproachestounderstandthatobjectsarereallyimportantculturally,sociallyandeconomically.”
IfPetrovkeepsherstudentsimmersedinaworldofideas,it’sbecauseshekeepsherownideassharpthroughregularpublication.ShecontributedachaptertotherecentlypublishedFashioninMuseums(Bloomsbury)andhasanarticleduetoappearinthejournalofFashionStyleandPopularCulture.Shealsoplanstoreturntocuratingexhibits,assheusedtodofortheHumanEcologyClothingandTextileCollectioninEdmonton.
Inthemeantime,shenolongerfeelshesitantaboutinvitingfriendstovisitherinCalgary.“Itusedtobethatyouwouldstayinthecityatnightandleaveduringthedaytoseeotherstuff,likethemountains,”shesays.“Nowyoudon’thaveto.Weactuallyhavethingstodointown.”
24 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION DESIGN
Kyle ChowPLANTING SEEDS FOR SUCCESS
By cultivating the
hardy plant of design
thinking, Kyle Chow
has been able to do
high-level branding
work for a wide range
of clients and grow his
own business.
ForKyleChow,launchingasuccessfulbusinessisabouttakingtheseedofdesignthinking,plantingitearlyandtendingtoitpatiently.
“Frommypointofview,designeducationspeakstowaysofsolvingproblemsthat’sdifferentfromhow
otherpeopledoit,”saysthe31-year-olddesignerandeducator.“Youhavetoidentifywherethere’ssomethingmissingfortheuser.That’showIlaunchedmybusiness:IsawtherewasaneedandIusedmyexperienceasadesignertofulfillit.”
Theseedforhisbusiness,Plant,begantoforminMooseJaw,Saskatchewan,whereChowgrewup.Hebegantogreenhisthumbandhonehisbotanicalskillsworkinginalocalgardeningshopanddevelopinghisowngardeningplots.
AtthesametimehenurturedastrongcreativestreakbyswitchingfromhisinitialfocusinuniversityonbusinesstotakingadegreeincommunicationdesignattheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design.WhiledoinghiscourseworkheagaintilledthesoilforfuturesuccessbystartingtododesignandbrandingworkforCombineDesign&Communications.
Aftergraduating,in2009,hebecameapartnerinCombineandreturnedtoACADayearlatertoteachcoursesintypographyanddesignfundamentals.Inhelpingtoguidestudentsthroughtheirdesignprograms,hebroughthisgardener’spatiencetobear.
“Istartwiththefundamentals,givingthembaseknowledge,sothere’snobreakingtherules,atfirst,”Chowexplains.“Inthesecondandthirdyearthere’smoreflexibility.Atthesametime,Iassesswhat’sgoingonintheworldofgraphicdesignandassociatedtechnologies,andadaptwhat’srelevanttoourprojects.
25Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
It’sallaboutbeingflexible,establishingthefundamentalsandthentailoringprojectsthataregoingtohelpwithreal-worldapplications.”
FlexibilitywasalsothekeytogrowingPlant.In2011,hestartedsellingtheterrariumshewascreating,drawingonhisgreenhouseexperienceanddesigneducation.Theyincludedhardylocalplantsandnaturalmaterials,makingthemperfectminiatureenvironmentsforthewinterbound.“Wespendagreatamountoftimeandenergywithinfourwalls,”saysChow,“andalivingenvironmentallowsustoexperiencetheoutdoorswheninside.”
Hecultivatedhisbusiness,amassinganimpressivecustomerlist,untilhecouldlaunchabricks-and-mortarstore.PlantopenedinMarch2014,offeringaselectionofterrariums,indoorgardeningandlandscapingsupplies,naturalartwork,functionalvintagegoodsandmuchmore.TodayChow’sbusinessisblossoming.
“Althoughitiseasytogetcaughtupinaesthetics,greatdesignthinkingisbuiltuponasolidstructure,formandexperience,”hesaysinaninterviewwithMarketCollective,whichpromotesCalgaryartsandculture.“ThesearesimilarprinciplesIapplywhencreatingeachterrarium.Theskillsarealsoveryhelpfulwhencreatingthemanypracticalmaterialsasmallbusinessneeds:branding,website,careinstructions,etc.”
Chowhasmanagedtofindwork-lifebalanceandsustainabilityintheirpurestform—wherepassionandprofessionalexpertisesupportandevolvewitheachother,intoahardyplantthatcansurviveinthechallengingAlbertaclimate.
26 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION DESIGN
THE POWER OF STRUCTURE
During his 30-plus years of teaching at ACAD, Dennis Budgen has helped
shape a program that feeds Alberta’s thriving design industry with talented,
ready-to-work graduates.
Dennis Budgen
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION DESIGN
DennisBudgenrecallsthepitchfromacollegerecruiterathisnorthernAlbertahighschoolinthe1970s.“Hesaid,‘Ifyouwanttopracticedesign,gototheAlbertaCollegeofArt.Ifyouwanttotalkaboutdesign,gotouniversity,”recallsBudgenwithalaugh,adding,“Thathasn’tchangedalltheseyearslater.”
HehimselfhasplayedamajorroleinensuringnotonlyareACADdesignersandillustratorshighlyemployable,theycanadaptandthriveinachangingindustry.Aftergraduatingfromthecollegein1979,hestudiedinNewYorkundersomeoftheworld’sbestillustrators.ReturningtoCalgary,hestartedatwo-prongedcareer,doinghisaward-winningnaturalhistoryillustrationsforawidevarietyofpublishingandinstitutionalclients,combinedwithteachingintheCommunicationDesignprogramofACAD.
“We’vespent30yearsbuildingthecomprehensivecurriculumwenowhave,”saysBudgen,pointingoutthatthestructured,progressiveapproachofadedicatedfour-yearcurriculumstandsinstarkcontrasttoastudenthaphazardlychoosingfromamenuofchoicesinauniversityliberalartsprogram.“Forexample,thefirstprojectastudentisassigned,inDrawing115,connectsandisrelevanttotheverylastprojectinfourthyearCharacterDesign.”
Withthisdedicatedfocus,ACADhassupplieddesigngraduatesthathavekeptCalgaryandAlberta’sgrowingdesignindustryflourishing,incompaniesrangingfromdigitalagencyCriticalMasstogamedeveloperBioWare.“TheimpactthatdesignersfromACADhavehadontheeconomyissignificant,”Budgeninsists.“Ouralumnihavecontributedbillionsofdollarstoit,inaprofessionthatisbothenvironmentallyfriendlyandsustainable.”
“Self ”, 2000. Photo: Dennis Budgen
27Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
BudgeninitiatedthestreamstructurefortheVisualCommunicationDesigncurriculum:firstbystartingtheillustrationstream.Hethenbuiltmostofthecurrentillustrationprogramandwithhiscolleaguescreatedthestructureforallthecurrentacademicstreams:graphicdesign,advertising,characterdesignandillustration.“Overtheyearsofdevelopingthestreams,weatonetimemademoreofaseparationbetweenillustrationanddesign,”hesays.“Butwefounditworksbesttocreateahybrid.Thebeststudentscanexcelatadvertising,graphicdesignorillustration—they’rejustgoodthinkers.”
Headds:“Ourgoalistopreparethestudentsfora30-to-40-yearcareerinthedesignindustry,givingthemthevisualandcriticalskillstoadapttothemarketplace.”
Aspartofadaptingthechangingconditionsofhislife,Budgenhasreducedhisfulltimeteachingload,sohecanconcentrateonthedemandsofhisownillustrationpractice.
Heisbuildinganewwebsiteforhimself,thoughwithtrepidation.Healreadyhasalltheworkhecanhandle,especiallywithhighdemandforhisinformationillustrations.
Amongmanyprojects,BudgeniscurrentlyillustratingabookonPacificsalmonandpreparingforanexhibit,inMarch2015,oflarge-scaleworksfromhisexpeditiontoEllesmereIsland.Fouryearsago,heaccompaniedtheGeologicalSurveyofCanadatotheircampbyCarlRitterBayonthenortherntipoftheisland.
Basedonhissketchbookdrawingsofwildlifeandlandscape,theexhibitworkinvolveslayeredimagesincharcoal.“Tome,thisprocessofcapturingthree-dimensionalformonalargetwo-dimensionalsurfacefeelssculptural,”saysBudgen.“Itrytoexpressnotonlythesubjectmatterbutalsotheintangibleelements,suchastheincessantwind,thebleaknessofwinterandthevastnessofthehumblingenvironment.”
Top: Carving, 1992, ink line + watercolour
Bottom: Only So, 2013, charcoal
28 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Heather Huston
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ART
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
“Therearemanypathsyoucantaketosuccess,”saysHeatherHuston,whoteachesprintmaking,fibreartanddrawingatAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design.“InourSchoolofCraftandEmergingMedia,we’vegivenalotofthoughtabouthowwecanprovidestudentswithmultiplemodelsforsuccesswithanartsdegree.”
Toaccomplishthis,especiallyinapragmatic,bottom-lineagethatdoesn’tnecessarilyencouragecareersinthearts,theschoolistappingintoitsvastpoolofalumniandtheirwide-rangingexperiences,whetheritismakingcraftsandsellingthemthroughonlineshopsorcraftshows,orworkingasafreelancedesignerorillustrator,orswitchingtoarelatedcreativefieldlikemusic,ortakingadayjobtosupporttheir“artaddiction.”
“Manyofour[former]studentsarehappyandengagedinacreativeindustryandstillmakingart.Ithinkthat’sagooddefinitionofsuccess,”shesaysoftheiradmirablework-lifebalance.
Herowncareercouldserveasonemodelforsuccess.AfterreceivingaBFAfromtheUniversityofCalgaryandanMFAfromtheUniversityofAlberta,Hustonhasdevelopedavibrantpractice,creatingprintsandsculptures,manyofwhichfindmeaningintheeveryday,includinginterestingstructuresabstractedfromcookie-cutterneighbourhoods.
Showingwidelyinsolo,groupandjuriedshowsinCanadaandabroad,Hustonhasthrownherselfwiththesamegustointoherteaching,
WORK OF BODY
Through her art and
teaching, Heather
Huston explores how
to find the right work-
life balance and to
cope with the physical
challenges thrown at
us by life.
29Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
joiningACADin2007,afterteachingprintmaking,drawingandfundamentalcoursesatheralmamaters.Sheisadamantthatoneofthemostimportantthingsherstudentscanaccomplishistobe“awareofdifferentmodesofthinking,”deepeningtheirunderstandingoflifeandart.
“Whatwedoisnotlimitedtocreatingprettythings,”shesays.“Beyondtheaestheticsanarteducationcreatesa‘thinkingeconomy.’Youlearntoanalyzethings,asktherightquestions,howtopresentyourartworkanddefendit,andhowtogiveandreceiveconstructivecriticism.Theseareportableskills,nomatterwhatyouwindupdoing.”
Hustonalsoemphasizesthatartistperspectiveprovidesavaluablelensforlookingatandunderstandingtheworld.Inherowncase,sheusesittocreateabodyofworkabouthowthebodysometimesdoesn’twork.
Copingwithadoublewhammyofmultiplesclerosisandinflammatoryarthritis,sheexploresherconditionsthroughThe Body, Stranger series.
“Mineisavoicethatgivesanexperienceofchronicillness,talkingaboutlivingwithitandmovingthroughtheworld,”saysHuston.“Wefeellikeourbodyisourown.Butwhathappenswhenitisn’tdoingthethingsyouwant,whenyourbodyisn’tyour
own?Thisworkexploresvulnerabilityandhumanness,providingavoiceforakindofexperiencethatmaybenewtopeople.Ortheymayrelatetoitbecausetheyaresufferingthemselvesorknowsomeoneelsewhois.”
Hustonhopestogrowthisbodyofsilkscreen,andetchingandChine-colléprintswithmoreinvolvedandlargerartworks,bringingoutdifferentaspectsofthephysicalandmentalchallengesofillness.
Asshedoes,shewilldelvedeeperintothekindofartisticsuccessthatreallymatters.
30 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Kerry HarmerATTACHED TO SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Kerry Harmer advocates that designers explore
the sweet spot of opportunity where sustainability
and consumer demand intersect.
Thekeytosustainabledesignis“attachment.”Ifyoudesignadurableproductthatpeoplevalue,thentheywillkeepitlongeranditislesslikelytojointhemass-produceddreckchokingourlandfills.
“Attachment”figuresprominentlyinthetheoriesofproductdesignerandAlbertaCollegeofArt+DesigninstructorKerryHarmer.“Mypracticeisframedwithintheseideasofsustainabilityandexploringhowpeoplegetattachedtotheirobjects,”sheexplains.“Whenpeopletalkaboutobjectstheyareattachedto,theyareoftentalkingaboutthingsthatthey’vealwayshad,orhadformorethan20years.”
Designersneedtoexplorethesweetspotofopportunitywheresustainabilityandconsumerdemandintersect.Iftheycancreatewell-madeproducts,withenvironmentallyfriendlymaterialsandprocesses,then“peoplewillbecomeemotionallyattachedtotheobjectsandkeepthemlonger,sotheyarenotsotransient.”
Harmerherselfhassustainedinterestincreatingproductsoflong-termvaluethroughouthereducationandcareer.Followingastintinthemusicbusiness
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ART
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
31Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
intheUnitedKingdomandCanada,shehasalistofacademiccredentialsthatincludesaBFAfromConcordiaandaMastersofIndustrialDesignfromtheUniversityofAlberta.
AtACADHarmerteaches3Dobjectdesign,variousdesignconceptandfundamentalscoursestonon-designmajors,aswellassustainabilitythroughresearch-drivencreativeprojects.Shestressesitisagreattimetobeinvolvedinthefield,as“designthinking”hasbecomethedarlingofbusiness,medicine,educationandotherprofessions.
“Ithinkothersarebeginningtounderstandwhatdesignersactuallydobeyondmakingthingsorcreatingimages,”shesays.“That’sthevalueIreallytrytoinstillinstudents,thatdesignthinkingskillswillbebeneficialtoyouwhereveryougointheworld.Itrytogetstudentstousetheirdesignskillstothinkaboutentrepreneurshipandwheretheywillgoaftertheireducation.”
Thevaluethatdesignbrings,fuelledbythedemocratizationofnewtechnologies,suchas3Dprinting,hashelpedtogivelifetothe“makermovement,”wherecreatorsandmanufacturersbandtogetherinlocalco-opspacestocreatethingsthatoftenhaveacraftappeal.
“Peoplearegettingreallyexcitedaboutbeingmakersagain,”saysHarmer.“Ithinkthattiesbacktosustainabilityandlocalproduction.Wecanseethesereferencepointstocraftandhoweconomiesexisted100yearsago.Iseethisasawaytocreatenew,emergentandmoresustainableeconomies”
Inherownpractice,sheisdesigningfurniture,fashionsandotherproducts,throughKerryHarmerDesign,thatsheisplanningtoputintosmall-scaleproduction.Sheisespeciallyinterestedindevelopingalineofchildren’sproducts,suchaslamps,hooks,racksandheightmeasures.
“InsteadofthejuvenileDisneymotifsoftenusedinchildren’sfurnishings,”shesays,“Iworkwithmorelocalizedandmeaningfuliconographythatwillencourageattachmentratherthancreatethrowawayproducts.Theideaisthattheseobjectscantranscendchildhoodandalsobeusedinadultlife.”
32 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ART
Molding the new generation Our Faculty
Tamara Himmelspach
A3Dexplorationofidentityandhistory;naturerevealedthroughthegardenofinterests,andmaterialsusedinwork—thesearesomeofTamaraHimmelspach’spreoccupationsasanartist.
“Rightnow,lookingbacktotradition,andbringingthisintoacontemporarycontext,isreallyinfluencingmypractice,”saysthe21-year-oldsculpturemajor.“Myworkisverysociallyandcommunallybased.There’sadialoguebetweennatureandtradition.Ienjoyworkingwithintherealmofsemiotics.”
Himmelspach’sdesiretoexploreherfamilyhistoryandherownidentitythroughartwasgivenaboostattheendofhighschool,inLloydminster,Saskatchewan.ShedecidedtotraveltoGermany,whereherfather’sfamilycamefrom,andstaywithaverycreativehostfamily.“Livingtherereinforced
theideaIshouldgotoartschool,”sherecalls,“andthatIwouldbehappierinaplacewhereIcouldletmycreativeexpressionsflow.”
Thenewfoundinterestinherfather’sancestryalsosparkedadesiretoexplorehermother’sCreeaboriginalroots.HimmelspachbroughtthetwindesireswithhertotheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designfouryearsago.Herloveofcommunityisoneofthereasonssheeventuallydecidedtofocusonthesculpturedepartment,withthestrongbondsbetweenstudentsandfaculty.
Withtheencouragementoffacultyandfellowstudents,shedecidedtomakeconnectionsoutsidehercircleintothewidercommunity.Earlierthisyear,Himmelspachtooktheleadwithagroupofstudentsindevelopinganunderutilizedsectionofthecollegegroundsintoavibrantcommunity
NATURE, TRADITION & COMMUNITY
Sculpture major Tamara Himmelspach uses her practice and passions to
explore her roots and make connections to the wider world.
Creating change for tomorrow Our Students
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ART
33Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
garden.Ityieldedaharvestofpeppers,lettuce,spinach,kale,Swisschard,cucumber,carrots,beans,beets,strawberries,garlicandmanyherbs.Growingthegardensignalledthedevelopmentofthestudentsaswell,intomature,politicallyandculturallyawareadults.
Notonlydidthegardenprovideaspacetoupliftthespiritsofstudentsandothervisitors,itputHimmelspachintocontactwithbusinessownersandresidentsinnearbyKensington.“Itwasnicetotalktofellowgardenersandtheotherpeopleintheareawhoareinterestedinwhatyouaredoing,”shesays.“You’reswappingknowledgeandstories,andperhapsinspiringotherstomaketheirowngardens.”
Atthesametime,HimmelspachhasbeenactiveinACAD’saboriginalcommunity,takingtheleadagaininbuildingupitslongdormantresourcecentre,makingmusic,
documentaries,storiesandmoreavailabletotheschool’saboriginalstudents.
AlthoughsheisgraduatingattheendofApril,shevowstokeeponworkingonthegarden,makingsurethatotherstudentswillkeepitgoing,includingthepartofthegardenusedasagalleryspaceforstudentwork.Shealsowantstoensurethattheresourcecentrecontinuestogrowforupcominggenerationsofstudents.
AsHimmelspachlooksaheadtolifeafterschool,sheisn’tworriedabouttheprospectofworkingtokeepherartpracticegoing.“Nomatterwhereyouareandwhatyou’redoing,youcanfindinspiration,whetherit’sthepeopleyoutalktoorarayoflightcomingthroughthewindow,”shesays.“Onceyou’reinthatframeofmind,you’realwaysanartist.”
34 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Creating change for tomorrow Our Students
THE PROMISE OF CONNECTION
Respecting the intelligence of her audiences, sculpture student Emily
Promise Allison creates multidisciplinary work that is challenging but
approachable, with many points of access.
Emily Promise Allison
“I was off to see [ACAD] art student Emily Promise Allison’s exhibit. Rather than a physical exhibit, Allison took the stage that night, dancing with countless audience members—how much more interactive can a performance get? She created an outdoor night scene, complete with fake snow and a throne to give the night a truly ethereal feel, as she took on a princess-like look. I stood curiously contemplating what entrancing conversations she was quietly having with each successive dance partner as they waltzed on with her, mesmerized.”
—SarenaDharshi,“ALookBackatMyFavouriteCalgary2012Event—NuitBlanche,”HuffingtonPost.
Recallinghereight-hourMy Mother Calls Me a RabbitperformanceatNuitBlanche,Allison,inthefourthyearofthesculptureprogramattheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design,says:“Iwasenergizedbythisexperience.Iwasfascinatedbyhowvulnerablepeoplemadethemselvestomeaswedanced.”
Findingimaginativewaystoconnecthasbeenathemeinthe26-year-oldperformanceartist/sculptor/
photographer/children’spedagogue’slife.GrowingupintheruralAlbertantownofPenhold,Allisonwouldperformforherpets,wieldabatontocomposemusicinthunderstormsandwriteshortstories,imaginingafutureasauthor“EmilyPromiseMarthaVeronicaAllisonfromPenhold.”Shewouldofcoursebeholdingapenonherbooks’dustjackets.
Followingtimespentstudyingtheatreandactinginperformances,AllisondecidedtowriteadifferentcreativefutureforherselfandenteredACAD
Photo location: The Calgary Zoo
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ART
35Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
in2010.Lastyear,shewasacceptedforanexchangeprogramattheGlasgowSchoolofArtinScotland,whereshewasabletoindulgeherpassionforothercultures.“Icompletedaself-directedprojecttherecalledMiniature Monuments,”sherecalls.“AseriesoffivemonumentswerepermanentlyinstalledaroundGlasgowbasedonstoriesIgatheredfromcitizensaboutpeoplefromtheirpast,whodeservedrecognition.”
Whatconnectshermultidisciplinarypracticeisastrongbeliefinthehumanimagination,respectingtheintelligenceofaudiencesby“creatingworkthatisintellectuallychallengingbutalsoapproachable,withmanypointsofaccess.”
Thisadmirableambition,aswellashereducationalaspirations,wererecognizedrecentlywhenorganizersinformedAllisonthatsheisthe2014recipientoftheQueen’sGoldenJubileeScholarshipfortheVisualArts.The$5,000annualscholarshipisbestowedona“youngAlbertavisualartistwhoshowsextraordinarytalentandpotentialandwhodemonstratescleareducationalortraininggoals.”
AsshelookstolifeaftergraduationnextApril,Allisoncertainlydoeshavecleargoalsinplace.SheisplanningtotraveltoP.E.I.,NewOrleans,Belgiumandelsewheretoshowherwork,givelecturesanddoperformanceart.“Ialsowanttocontinuemyeducationineducation,”shesays.“Mypassionis
teachingchildren,whichIhavebeendoingforsevenyears.Iwanttodothisfulltime,developingaspecializedcurriculumbasedonintensiveresearch,usingelementsofvisualartandperformanceartaseducationalmodels.”
Withherpractice,Allisonhasstayedtruetoherchildhooddesiretobecomeacommunicator.“Formeartisimportantbecauseofitsabilitytocommunicatewithoutlanguage,andinthiswayitbecomesauniversaltongue,”shesays.“IfIweretohaveanysuperpower,itwouldbetospeakanylanguage.PerhapsI’malreadydoingthissubconsciouslybybeinganartist.”
36 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Keeping the wheels in motion Our Management + Support Staff
Please describe your position at ACAD and what you enjoy most about it.
IhelpyoungpeoplewhoareinterestedinattendingACADwiththeapplicationprocedure.IalsovisithighschoolsthroughoutAlberta,tellingthemaboutACAD,ourprograms,ourdegreesandanswerquestionsaboutthebenefitsofattendingACAD.It’sreallygreatbecauseIgettoconnectwithteenswhowanttomakeacareeroutofart.I’vemetstudentsasyoungas12whoknowtheywanttobeanartistwhentheygrowupandthatisreallyrewarding.
What is your favourite part about ACAD?
Iloveinteractingwithyoungartists–theyhavesomuchdriveandenergy!ItssuperfulfillingtoseetheprogressioninthemastheygothroughtheirprogramatACAD.Also,ACADhasaterrificcreativeenvironment.Everyoneissupportiveofeachother,everybodytriestheirbestandstaffgooutoftheirwaytohelpeachother–youdon’tseethatinlargerinstitutions.
Do you own any student work? Please describe your favourite piece and why.
Yes!!Tonsofit.IalwayspickupnewitemsattheShow+Sale.Myfavouritepiecerightnowisaglitterygopherpaintingbyanartistwhograduatedafewyearsago.
What type of visual art do you enjoy?
Iloveagoodgraphicnovel.
Why does creativity matter?
Wefacealotofproblemsintoday’sworldthatcouldn’thaveeverbeenpredicted.Tofixtheseproblemsweneedcreative
thinkers.Solutionswehad20yearsagodon’tfitanymoreandweneedpeoplewhocanthinkaroundthem.
Artistscontributetheirskillsbyopeninguptheconversation,pushingboundariesandlimitsandforcingustothinkoutsidethebox.
As a society, do we value art?
Wevalueart,butnotenough.It’susuallythefirstthingwethinkaboutcuttinginabudget-consciousworld.Butthinkabouthowimportantarthasbeenthroughouthistory.It’sthefirstthingthat’sdestroyed(particularlyinwars)whentryingtocontrolasociety.Andit’sthefirstthingwecovettotryandprotectwhenwe’reatwar.
We’retouchedbyarteverywhere,whetheritsatypefaceinthenewspaperyou’rereading,apicturedecoratingyourlivingroom,orthechairyou’resittingon.Somebodyhadtocreateallthesethingsbutwedon’tgenerallythinkaboutarthavingthisenormousimpactonusandthewaywelive.
WeneedtostartrecognizingACAD’svalueinthecreativeeconomy.We’vebeenaroundfor88yearsandthinkabouthowmuchvaluewe’veaddedtooureconomy,notjustlocallyeither,butoutsideofCalgaryandevenCanada.Calgaryisn’tjustaboutoilandgas–we’recontributingrealvaluethroughentrepreneursstartingartanddesignbasedbusinessesthatgeneraterealjobs,newbusinessesandrealmoney.It’sexcitingbecausewhoknowswherewe’llbeintenyears.AndartistsarealwaystheonesthatgrabholdandadoptnewwaysofbeingandI’mexcitedtobepartofthatchange.
Dan BarnfieldAdmissions Officer
37Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Please describe your position at ACAD and what you enjoy most about it.
Iprocessallpaymentsforcollege,exceptpayroll.
Thefavouritepartofmyjobispreparingthescholarshipchequeseachsemester.It’ssoamazingtoseethewaywe’rehelpingstudents,toknowthatwearefacilitatingtheireducation.I’vehadachancetomeetsomeofthescholarshiprecipientsandthatreallytouchesme.
Theteacherinmeenjoyshelpingthefaculty.PeopleknowtheycanemailmeandIgetthemtheanswer.
Also,Imustsaythatitsfun,aswellasfulfilling,totellmyfriendsaboutACADandallthatishappeninghere.WorkingheremakesusambassadorsofACADandgivesustheabilitytopromoteallthegreatthingsthatourstudentsandfacultydo.
How did you land a job at ACAD? Do you have an artistic background?
Istartedtempingherethreeandahalfyearsagoandthatturnedintoapermanentposition.AndI’msogladitdid!Iwasinaccountingatthestartofmycareer,thenwentintoeducationandtaughtelementaryfortenyears.NowI’mbackintoaccountingbutlovethatI’malsobackinaneducationalenvironment.
Iquiltbutdefinitelydon’tconsidermyselfanartist.MyfamilyisveryartisticthoughandonedayIwilltakesomecourseshere.WhenIhavesometime!
What is your favourite part about ACAD?
TheShow+Sale,especiallytheglass.IalsolovetheMainMallandseeingthenewpiecesofstudentworkshowcasedtherethroughouttheyear.
Ilovethepositiveenergyhere.Withallthecreativitygoingonaroundhereit’simpossibletobenegative.Alsothepeoplethatworkherehavethisincredible“can-do”spirit.Everyonesupportseachotherinsteadofbeingcompetitive.Itsreallyupliftingtoexperience.
Do you own any student work? Please describe your favourite piece and why.
Yes,Ihavepiecesathomeandatwork.Irecentlygotmarriedandmyco-workersboughtmeanabsolutelylovelyglassvase.
What type of visual art do you enjoy?
Ihaveahighappreciationforglass–there’samysteryandmagicaroundit.Butbeingaquilter,Iamdrawntowardsfibreandfibre-basedwork.
Why does creativity matter?
Wetendtoforgettheimportanceofart.It’sawaytogetkidsenergized,ameanstomotivateanyagegroup,aformofrelaxationforseniorsandawaytoletgooftheday’schallenges.
Cathy Fadden
Accounts Payable Coordinator
38 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Keeping the wheels in motion Our Management + Support Staff
Please describe your position at ACAD and what you enjoy most about it.
Idevelopandoverseethecredit-freeprogrammingforadultsandteensthroughourExtendedStudiesdepartment.Weofferroughly60–70courseseachsemesterthatpeoplegenerallytakeforpersonalinterest.
WealsoofferaPre-CollegeProgramforteensthatrunstheentiremonthofJuly,whichismyfavouriteprogrambecauseIgettoseeyoungpeoplegettingexcitedaboutstudyingartanddesign.Itsgreattobeabletotellteensandtheirparentsaboutthevalueofanartdegreeandthatit’snotalwaysaboutbecomingapracticingartist.Therearemanydifferentcareeropportunities–education,administration,thegallerysystem,writing,architecture.
AlotofpeoplethattakeourExtendedStudiescourseshaveverylittlepreviousexperiencewithmakingartanditsrewardingtoseethemdevelopandexperimentwiththeircreativityandgetexcitedaboutwhattheyaredoingandwhatthepossibilitiesareforfutureendeavours.
What seems to be the trend these days in art courses?
Drawingandpaintingcontinuetobepopular,especiallyobservationaldrawing.Also,handmadeobjectssuchasjewelleryandceramics.
What is your favourite part about ACAD?
Thereisalotofcreativeenergyhereandthere’salwayssomethinghappening.Iloveseeingwhatthestudentsareupto,seeingtheirworkandtheirprogression.
IlikethatACADisgainingvisibilityandgettingbetterknowninthecommunity.
Do you own any student work? Please describe your favourite piece and why.
Yes!Iamalwaysbuyingthingshere,especiallyattheShow+Sale.
MyfavouritepieceisapapersculpturethatIpurchasedsixyearsagobyadesignstudent.Iloveitbecauseit’ssmall,cleanandsimple.
What type of visual art do you enjoy?
Iamreallydrawntowardsfigures,althoughnon-traditionalfigures.Wehavealotoffiguresandpeopleinourcollection.MyhusbandisaphotographerandIusedtopaintandtakephotographs,sowetendtogravitatetowardscollectingphotography.
Why does creativity matter?
Ithinkartroundsusoutaspeople.Creativethinkinghelpsusseethebiggerpicture,makesomethingoutofnothing,beflexible.It’ssoimportanttobeabletoseethingsdifferently,workthroughproblemsorobstaclesinadifferentwayandhavingacreativepractice,whetherit’sahobbyormore,helpsusdothis.
Arttellsthehistoryofsocietythroughvisualmeans.It’simportanttotellfuturegenerationswhathappenedinourtime,howwereactedtothingsandwhatwasimportanttous.Weneedtocontinuevaluingandsupportingartasasociety.
Do people value art and design?
ThingshavedefinitelychangedinCalgaryinthesevenyearsthatI’vebeenhere.There’smorediscussionaboutart,morepeopleinterestedinit.Howeverfundingcutstoartprogramsareahugedetriment.ACADhelpspeopleseetheimportanceofcreativitythroughitsdegreeandcredit-freeartanddesignprogramsandoutreachintothecommunity.
Melissa KernProgram Developer
39Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Lindsay PaulManager, Alumni + Donor Engagement
Please describe your position at ACAD and what you enjoy most about it.
ImanageourACADSquaresmembershipprogram,donorevents,cultivatecommunitypartnershipsandsponsorshipsandmaintainAlumnirelations.EssentiallyIcreateconnectionsamongstavarietyofourinternalandexternalstakeholdersthatfacilitateslearningandentrepreneurialopportunitiesinthearts.Notwodaysareeveralikeandit’sneverboring!
What is your favourite part about ACAD?
IlovemanyaspectsaboutworkingatACAD,butthehighlightsalwaysincludeinteractionsandopportunitiesformentorshipwithourstudents.WehavesomeamazinglytalentedindividualshereandIamfortunatetobeinapositiontoengagewiththemandwatchthemgrowintheirartisticexpression.That,andIworkwithsomeofthemostdedicatedandskilledstaffandfacultysoIlearnagreatdealfrommysurroundingsonadailybasis.
Do you own any student work? Please describe your favorite piece and why.
OfcourseIdo!Iusuallypurchasequiteafewpiecesayear,rangingfromsmallerworksfromdepartmentfundraiserstolargerworksfromtheShow+Sale.Ioftenpurchasepiecesforfamilyandfriends,butshamelesslythesegemsoftenendupinmypersonalcollection.
It’shardtochoosejustone,butmynewfavoritepiecethatIjustpickedupisaredandblackfrostedglassvasemadebyoneofourglassmajors.
What type of visual art do you enjoy?
Whenmaking,Iammostdrawntoprintmedia,fibreandceramics.
Whenadmiring,IhaveanotableweaknessforblackandwhiteworkandhaveacollectionofetchingsmadebyhistoricalandcontemporaryCanadianartists.
Why does creativity matter?
OnaphilosophicallevelI’llparaphraseElliotEisner-creativitythroughlearningintheartshastheabilitytoexpandourconsciousness,shapeourdispositions,satisfyourquestformeaning,promoteindividuality,establishconnectionswithothersandfacilitatethesharingofcultureandthecollectiveexperience.
Humanshavetheuniqueabilitytoleavealegacy;arecordofculturaldevelopmentthatistransmittedprogressivelyfromgenerationtogeneration.Criticalandcreativethinkinghavebeennotedasessentialskillsinthe21stcenturyanddivergentthoughtisthefoundationforinnovation,challengingbeliefs,buildingnewmentalschemataandgeneratingcuriosity.Weareallmakersinonesenseoranotherandcreativityisessentialtoprogress–canyouimaginehowboringitwouldbetonotuseyourimagination?
40 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Corrie Hamm
GrowinguponanacreagejustwestofCarstairs,Alberta,CorrieHammwrestledwhethersheshouldpursueacareerinartoreducation.Shefinallybowedtothe“safeassumption,”pursuingthe“moreso-calledsecurerouteofteaching,”gettingaBAandthenaBachelorofEducationfromtheUniversityofCalgary.
Aftereightyearsofteachingshedecidedthatthepathnottravelledwastheoneshereallywantedtopursue.HammenteredtheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designin2009.Althoughshestartedstudyingdesign,shesoonsawthatherabilitiesandinterestslay
elsewhere.“Iendedupinthedrawingprogram,”sherecalls,“becauseitseemedtheplacewherestudentsweremostencouragedtoexploreandtakerisksinavarietyofmedia.”
ShehighlightsthesupportshereceivedfrominstructorandVisualArtsChairRichardBrown,atacriticaltimeinherstudies,feelingtheclassroompressurestoproduceinhersecondyear.“IwouldhavedroppedoutifIhadn’tmethim,”shesays.“Hehasagiftforreadingeachofhisstudentsandguidingthemwithcustommethods.OnadayIwasfeelingparticularlydoubtful,hetoldme,‘Whateverwayyoudoitisthe
rightway.’Thiswasliberating,becausehegavemefullpermissiontotestthingsout.Ilearnedtomakeallmyowndecisions.”
Hammbegantofindherownvoiceasamultimediaartist,whichannounceditselfinvariousexhibitions,includingEntitled,partoftheMovingImages+SoundCollectiveFestivalheldattheGlenbowMuseumin2013.Theshowbroughttogethervariousworksinvolvingarthistoryandslidefilmcollages,andthedevicesbuilttoviewthem.
Askedhowshewoulddescribewhatshedoestosomeoneataparty,
EDUCATING CORRIE
A strong believer in art and art education, Corrie Hamm wants to transform
both with her work and research.
Transforming the world Our Alumni
41Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Hammresponds,“I’vebeenworkingforanintroforwhatIdoforvariousperspectivesofart,because,youknow,yourgrandmaisgoingtoneedadifferentdescriptionthansomeonewhoisnerdingoutontheory.IguessImightstartoffwith,‘I’mcuriousabouttheunknownandtheunknowable...”
HammhascarriedforwardthiscuriosityaftergraduatingwithaBFAwithdistinctionin2013.Shecontinuestodevelopherartpractice,andworksasagallerytechnicianatIllingworthKerrGalleryatACADandavisualartsinstructorattheWildflowerArtsCentre.Asateachersheexperimentstofindunconventionalwaystohelpstudentsdeveloptheirowncreativeprocesses.
Notsurprisingly,Hammisastrongbelieverinthevalueofartandarteducation,especiallyinthefaceofcontinuedgovernmentcutbacks.“Arthastheuniqueabilitytobebothattheheartofcultureandsomeplaceoutsidelookingin,”shesays.“Itassistsinexploringourrelationshipwiththeworldandofferswaystomovepastourcurrentknowledgeandunderstanding.”
Shepointsoutthatthebudgetcutters’lackofappreciationmaygobacktobadartclassexperiencesintheirformativeyears.“Iwouldliketobeanadvocateforchangeinhowartisapproachedinprimaryandsecondaryeducation,”shesays.Thinkingofherownexperience,Hammadds:“Outofmythreeundergraduatedegrees,thefirsttwoweremainlyaboutparroting.Artschoolistheonethatfeltlikeaneducation.”
Top: Digital still from the multi-plane animation Entitled, 2012.
Right: Mutiplane animation device. 4”x10”x4” (yellow cedar,plywood), sample plexi-glass planes, cut art history slides.
Used to create animation titled, Entitled. 2012. Original 5:25min. This video screened at the Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Alberta as part of
the Moving Images + Sound Collective Festival in March of 2013.
Below: ‘———-’ . Truck door, chair, wood panel, paper, and video projected precisely on the side mirror for the
viewer to watch while seated)
42 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Transforming the world Our Alumni
“Theboundarybetweenvariousartformsishazyforme,”saysSarahNordean.“Ithinkthingscanslidebackandforthbetweendifferentmodesofexpressiontogetanideaacross.”
TheboundariesfortheCalgaryartistincludetheonesbetweenpainting,drawing,sound,videoandsculpture.Sheisfascinatedbyrepeatedgesturesandstrivestocreatetheextraordinaryoutoftheordinary.She’llmapherwalkingjourneysviaGPScoordinates,turntheseintoacontinuumofrelatedshapesthatsashayacrossanexhibitwalltoahypnoticsoundloopshehasalsocreatedfortheoccasion.
Nordeanhaslearnedtomarchtothesoundofherownmusicloop,puttingasideacareerasahighschoolartteacherto
Sarah NordeanBORDER CROSSINGS
Sarah Nordean plays with media
to find the best ways to make the
monumental out of the mundane
and to discover the power of
repeated gestures.
Walking Loops 1, 2013, coloured pencil and acrylic on frosted drafting film
Photo: Minttu Maari Mäntynen
432013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
entertheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designwherehertalentandpaintingpracticewasnurturedbyinstructorsandpeers.Shelovedbouncingideasoffthemandshowingworks-in-progress.
CompletingherBFAatACADin2007,Nordeanbelievesthatthededicatedartschoolisthewaytogo.Itsunwaveringfocusandcompletecommitmentgivestudentsadeeperconnectiontoart,asopposedtointegratingitwithotherstuffyouaredoing.
Yes,sure,youmighthavetodootherworktosupportyourpractice,butthepracticeitselfisthething.Youhavetobeboldandriskit.“Beingcautiousisnotmyideaofagoodtime,”shesays.“Bepassionateaboutwhatyoudo.Doingwhatyouloveisextremelyrewarding.”
Followingherpassion,NordeanenteredtheEmilyCarrUniversityofArt+DesignLowResidencyMastersprogramthreeyearsago,whichallowshertocompleteherMastersdegreeinAppliedArtsinCalgary,whilespendingthreeJulysinarowwithintensiveworkandexhibitsattheuniversityinVancouver.Shehasjustcompletedthelastofhercourseworkthissummer.
“I’mjustfinishingdoinganexhibition,inVancouver,withmycohortsfromEmilyCarr,”shesays.“Iamshowingthisonedrawing,whichIhavebeenworkingonforthepast
year,thatexploresrepetitivegesturesandtheideaofmakingsomethingmundanemonumental.”Thedrawing,formedfromrepeatedtallymarksusingdippenandinkonpaper,isanongoing,cumulativeworkcomprisedofmorethan100smallerdrawings.
TheideaofrepetitionandturningdailyroutineintorevealingartunderliesherThe Islandsexhibit,heldlastyearatCalgary’sUntitledArtSociety,anot-for-profitartist-runcollective.Inexploringthe“relationshipbetweenimagemakingandourconnectiontospaceandplace,”shemappedherwalksthroughcityspacesusingGPScoordinatesandemployedthese“drawingsascompositionalelementsforhervisualworks.”Theacrylic-on-papermapsarelinkedthrough“continualmovement,repetitioninreturningtothesameplacesagainandagain,andrhythmofstepandbreath.”
Nordean’sartpracticeisalsocontinualmotion.Nowdonehermasters,withastrongfocusondrawing,shewantstoexpandherpracticetoincludeperformance,videoandperhapssculpture.
Whateverworksbestforherideas–forgetaboutthetriedandtrue;bordersaremeanttobecrossed.“Ifyougetlostdoingsomething,whynotdothatthingfortherestofyourlife?”sheasks.
Ticks (5,404 minutes), 2014, dip pen and ink on paper
Photo:s Scott Massey
44 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Transforming the world Our Alumni
Brittney Bear HatUNITED IN EXPERIENCE
Brittney Bear Hat’s work has evolved
from focusing on the stereotypes
that divide us to the experiences
we have in common.
ForBrittneyBearHatartisatooltoexploretheelusivenotionofidentity.“IgrewuphereintheCalgaryareabutfeltseparatedfrommyaboriginalcommunity,”sherecalls.“ForalotofmylifeIfeltIwasmakingitupasIwentalong.IfeltIwasastereotype.Ididn’tunderstandwhatmademenative.Whatwasmycultureandidentity?”
Growingupwithacreativestreak,shefollowedtheleadofhereldersisterRichelleandenteredtheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design,in2007.“Ifitweren’tforACAD,Iwouldn’tbewhereIamnow,”shesays.“Itdefinitelyhelpedmebuildapracticeformyself.”
BearHatbuiltonthisfoundationinaseriesofresidencies–includingonesatContemporaryGalleryandTheBanff
Centre–whereshestarteddeepexplorationsofherroots,exchangingideasandinspirationwithotheraboriginalartists,includinghersister.
“Most of my time is spent googling different names, titles, phrases – all linked to being ‘Native.’ I was intrigued by the stereotype I found in the images.”—FromthedescriptionoftheThis is...series,2011.
InherThis is...seriesBearHatwilloftentakethevisualclichésandreframethemsothattheviewerquestionstheirownculturalassumptionswhiletheartistatthesametimeexorcisesherowndemonsofidentity,intheaccompanyinghandwrittennotes.Forexample,aparticularpiecedepictsaseriesofimpassivenativewarriors.Shewrites,“Thisiswhatitmeanstobestoic.”Andthesubtextis,stoiciswhatsheisalsoexpectedtobe.
OnceBearHatgotthestereotypesoutofhersystem,shefeltmoreateasetoexplorewhatheridentityreallymeantthroughherfather,ArthurChipesiaandhermother,LibertyChipesiawhodiedApril,2000.
Photo: Brittney Bear HatPhoto: courtesy of Art Gallery of Calgary (now Contemporary Calgary), 2014
45Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
“My Mother would sometimes blast Biggie from the kitchen to wake us for breakfast.”—NotefromtheRememberseries,2013
IfBearHat’smotherservesasamuseformuchofherwork,herfatherprovideslivinginspirationandasourceoffull-heartedsupportforhisdaughter’sexplorations,whichlatelyhaveincludedaddingvideoandmarkingareturntosilkscreenprints.Heisalsotheguardianoffamilystories,fleshingthemoutforherandlettingherknowtheonesthataresacredandmustbekeptsecret.
“It’sveryimportantformetoholdontoallmychildhoodmemories,”shesays.“Ijustwanttoremembermymomandmydad.”
Asherartpracticehasevolved,BearHathascometobelievethatthereismorethatlinksherwithnon-aboriginalsthanseparatesher.TheideaofconnectionunderliestheOURSshowshehadthisyearwithJenniferTellieratEdmonton’sLatitude53gallery.
Drawingonapreviouscollaboration,theinstallationwascomposedofpersonalartefactsandelementsoffamilyhistory.“JenissomeonethatIwasabletoshareandconnectwith.Webothcomefromasimilarbackground.Weshareasimilarchildhood,”saysBearHat.“Webothgrewupwithfatherswhowerehuntersandtheyarecontinuallypassingonthatknowledgetous”
Intheshowitself,therewerenoindicationsastowhichartistproducedwhichwork.Viewerscouldseethattherealexperienceswehaveincommontrumptheartificialdivisionsweoftencreate.
Photo: Brittney Bear Hat, 2014 Photo: Brittney Bear Hat, 2014
Photo: Brittney Bear Hat, 2012
46 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Transforming the world Our Alumni
Carson LongInhiscreativecareerthusfar,CarsonLonghaslearnedacoupleofvaluablelessons:Thatonethingleadstoanotherifyouareopentothepossibilities,andthatthereisasweetspotofopportunitywherecreativityandlogicoverlap.
LonginitiallyenteredtheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design,in2007,tostudydesign.Butinhisarthistoryclasshefoundhimselfattractedtothegranderdesignsofarchitecture.SohedidhisfirstzagthefollowingyearandenteredtheSouthernAlbertaInstituteofTechnologytoearnhistwo-yeararchitecturaltechnologiesdiploma.
ThisiswhereLongzigged.Heneededtocompletehisfour-yearundergraduatedegreebeforeenteringthemastersarchitectureprogramattheUniversityofCalgary.ItwouldhavemadealotofsenseforhimtogotoUofCforhisundergradbutinsteadheoptedtoreturntowherehebegan,takingthedrawingprogramatACAD.
Withhiseyealwaysonhislonggame,hebelievedthatanarteducationwouldhelphimdevelopauniquewayofproblemsolvingthatwouldgivehimanadvantagewhenfacedwiththemassivechallengesofarchitecture.
“IfeltthatACADwouldhelpmetodevelopmyownprocess,”explains25-year-oldLong.“Architectureisallaboutprocess,sothisisimportant.Artschool
PLAYING HIS LONG GAME
Pursuing his art
practice and a master’s
degree in architecture,
Carson Long is open
to where experience
leads him.
47Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
teacheshowtofindcreativesolutionstoproblems.Otherkindsofschoolsjustdon’tteachyouhowtodothis.”
Healsocreditshisinstructors,includingTanyaRusnakandRichardBrown,forhelpinghimtofindhisfocusandcoaxouthistalent.“Ifyouhaveagoalinmind,theprofessorshaveagreatwayofhelpingyoutoreachit.Whiletheyaretheretocoachyou,theydon’tthinkforyou.It’suptoyoutofigureoutthesolutionstoproblems.Theyreallyhelptodevelopapassionforfindingnewwaystosolvechallenges.”
Longappreciatedthewaythedrawingprogrambuiltonasolidtechnicalfoundation–backedbytheory,criticaldiscourseandconstantencouragementtoreachbeyondthetraditionalboundariesofdrawing–tohoneapersonalpracticeandanimpressivebodyofwork.“Ifoundmyselfreallybenefittingfromthefocusonthelogicalandthecreativeandartisticatthesametime,”hesays.“Ifindthetworeallysupporteachother.There’sanarttomath,andyouneedlogictosolvecreativeproblems.Usingthetwo,youlearntostepoutsideyourbox.”
HavinggraduatedwithhisBFAin2014,LongisdeterminedtokeephisartpracticegoingasheentersUofCforthe
architectureprogram.Thisincludeshisgraphicdesignsandhismoodyblack-and-whitephotographyandart.Hisworkdisplaysaloveofgeometricforms,urbanlandscapesandmanmadestructuresthatshowheisontherighttrackforacareerinarchitecture.
Evenso,Longisalwayspreparedfornewzigzagsinhiscareerpath.“Idon’twanttolimitmyselfyet,”heexplains.“I’mgoingtojustdomythreeyearsandseewhereIstand.ThereareafewavenuesIcouldgodown.Yes,Icouldpursuearchitecture.Icouldreturntographicdesign.There’salsomyartpractice.Ijustwanttoseewhereexperienceleadsme.”
Left to right: Expanse, 2014, acrylic ink on wood canvas; Sprawl, 2013, acrylic ink on
wood canvas; Construct, 2012, acrylic ink on wood canvas with pouring medium
48 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Transforming the world Our Alumni
DRAWN TO NEW YORK
With fearless attitudes and strong technical skills learned at ACAD, Jillian
and Lauren Tamaki have made a big splash in the Big Apple.
Jillian and Lauren Tamaki
ThesistersTamakiareadoublethreat.FromtheirrespectiveapartmentsinBrooklyn,thetwographicartistsraisedinCalgaryhavemanagedtoconquertheBigApplewiththeirdistinctiveart.Jillianisafreelanceillustratorwhoalsocreatesbestsellinggraphicnovels.AndyoungersisterLaurenissimilarlyaccomplished,combiningabusyfreelanceillustrationpracticewithfull-timedesigngigsthatlethermultipletalentsshine.
Ifthetwofeelarivalry,itdoesn’tshow.
“Laurenisreallyattunedtoculture,fashionandtrend,bothcontemporary
andhistorical,”saysJillian,34.“Sheunderstandscontextverydeeplyandalsohasagoodsenseofhumourandlightspirit.
Lauren,31,saysofhersister:“She’sillustrationroyalty.She’ssetapartbythefactshehastechnicalskillandstorytellingability.”
CertainlythelasttwoqualitiesarewhatJillianhasbecomeknownfor.AfterdoingafoundationyearinfineartatQueensUniversityinOntario,shereturnedhometotakeaVisualCommunicationsDesigndegreeatAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design.
Whileherintentwastostudydesign,thecurriculum’ssecondfocus,onillustration,seducedher“immediately.”“WhenIenteredACAD,Idon’tthinkIknewillustrationwasevenathing,”sherecalls.
“Iwasgladtheprogramwassofocusedondrawingfundamentalsandemphasizedbothdesignandillustration,”sheadds.“Itmademeamuchstrongerdrawer.Igraduatedfeelingreallyprepared.”
Jillian’ssolidgroundinghelpedhertakeoffalmostimmediately.Aftergraduatingin2003,shestarted
Jillian Tamaki
This Summer Sampler from This One Summer, 2014
49Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
freelancinginCalgaryandthenlandedatanEdmontonvideo-gamecompany,whilecontinuingtofreelance.WithenoughclientsshewentfreelancefulltimeandmovedtoNewYorkin2005.
Sincethen,herclientshaveincludedthelikesof theNew York Times,New Yorker, National Geographic, PenguinBooks,Oprah Magazine andWIRED. Atthesametimeshepursuedaloveofcomicsandwithcousin,MarikoTamaki,createdthegraphicnovelSkim,in2008,whichwasnominatedfortheGovernorGeneral’sLiteraryAward.Thisyear,thepairpublishedThis One Summer, awhimsicalcoming-of-agestory.Thenovelhadatwo-weekrunontheNYT bestsellerlist.
Inspiredbyhersister’sexample,LaurenfollowedafashiondesigndegreeatRyersonUniversityinTorontobyenteringACAD’sVisual
CommunicationsDesignprogram.Thetwinfocusofhercourseshelpedhertorealizeshecouldhaveadualdesignandillustrationcareer.“Thetrainingjustmakesmeamorevaluableemployee,”sheexplains.“Themorearrowsyouhaveinyourquiver,themoremarketableyouareinacompetitivemarket.”
Whileinschool,LaurendidfreelancedesignandillustrationforclientssuchasMurale,Goodmagazine,SwervemagazineandTheatreJunctionGRAND.Aftergraduatingin2011,shevisitedJillianinNewYorkandlandedajobatBumbleandbumble,wheresheimmediatelymadeasplashinthegraphicartscommunitywiththewallpapershedesignedandillustratedattheuptownsalon,aswellasholidaycardsandtheillustrationsshecreatedforB&b’sfirstrewardsgamingapp.
ShecontinuedtodofreelanceillustrationsforclientssuchasGQ, Wall Street Journal andColeHaanandin2013,shemadetheleaptoNewYork’sArch&Loopdesignfirm,whereshereunitedwiththebeautyandfashionclientssheloves.SheisnowdoingalotmoredesigningfortheWeb,forcinghertolearnnewskillsonthefly.
Sheisnotfazedbecauseofthe“fearlessattitude”thatsheandhersisterlearnedatACAD.Theharddeadlines,highprofessionalstandardsand,especially,thedemandingbutsupportiveinstructors,madethemrealizetheycoulddojustaboutanythingtheysettheirmindsto.
“Theyhelpedustogetreadyfortherealworld,”saysLauren.“Youcan’tputapricetagonthat.”
Lauren Tamaki
Left: Wall Street Journal, January 2014
Bottom left: Toronto Life, July 2014
Bottom right: Cole Haan, Holiday 2013
50 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
TRUCH BE TOLD
The four Truch siblings have used
their ACAD education to become
competitive in the international
design market and to launch a
landmark Calgary restaurant.
KimTruch(nowBiggs)startedatrendinhercreativeCalgaryfamilywhensheenteredtheAlbertaCollegeofArttostudydesign,in1980.ShewasfollowedbysiblingsAlli,ChristopherandJon.
“FouroutoffiveuswenttoACAD,”shesaysandaddswithalaugh,“Ourotherbrother,Mike,isanatureboy.Flyfishing,birdingandanythingnaturerelatedishisobsession.”
TodayAlliandKimrunBiggs&Co,amultidisciplinarycreativeagencywithofficesinNewYorkandLosAngeles.ThepairhasworkedwithmusicaltalentrangingfromAerosmithtoRihanna,andformajorbrandslikeZero,HaliburtonandSoap&Glory.Afterservingasasenior
artdirectoratMTVinNewYork,ChristophernowrunsafreelancedesignpracticeinGuelph,Ont.,livingwithhiswifeandson.
Withapassionformusic,designandartdirection,thethreehavecollaboratedonprojectstogetherandlikeanygoodbrothersandsistershavestronginsightintooneanother’stalentsandpersonalities.“ChristopherhasadifferentstylethanKimandme,”saysAlli,forexample.“It’smorethoughtdriven.He’smoreofatraditionalist,whereourworkismorepopculturedriven.”
TheirotherACADbrother,Jon,blazedhisownpath,takingsculptureinschool.Almostadecadeago,heopenedTubbyDog,whichhasbecomeaCalgarylandmark,withitseclecticmixofpinballmachines,livemusicandfabuloushotdogcreations,liketheSumoDog,garnishedwithJapanesemayo,wasabi,pickledgingerandtoastedsesameseeds.
“It’smoreofaholisticexperiencethanarestaurant,”musesChristopher.“Ithinkhetookhiseducationandputallofitinhisbusiness.There’sthesecrazy,over-the-tophotdogs.TheyarekindofsculpturesnowthatIthinkaboutit.”
The Truch Family
Transforming the world Our Alumni
Alli Truch + Kim Biggs Photo: Ken Schles
Christopher Truch
Jon Truch
51Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
ThethreedesignwhizzesofthefamilyTruch(pronouncedtroochnottruck)migratedsouthseparately.Determinedtobecomepartofthemusicindustry,KimmovedtoL.A.aftergraduation.HergigsincludedseniorArtisticDirectoratWarnerBrothersRecords,associateCreativeDirectoratRCARecords,headofcreativeservicesatMaverickRecordsandownerandcreativepartneratPopglory.
InNewYork,AllifollowedayearofadditionaleducationattheSchoolofVisualArtswithstintsthatincluded,amongotherthings,asadesigneratPolyGramRecords,VPcreativeservicesatElektraEntertainmentandseniorVPcreativeservicesatIslandDefJam.In2006,sheandhersisterlaunchedBiggs&Co.,graduallyrefocusingtheirmusicbusinesstoageneralbrandingpractice.
Forhispart,ChristopherwasamusicprofessionalbeforegoingtoACADandthenservingfirstasthemarketingand
editorialdirectorofPaper Magazine,inNewYork,andgoingonayearlatertoMTV,wherehewasresponsibleforawiderangeofoff-airbranding,marketingandadvertisingprojects.
AllthreeareadamantthattheirACADeducation,andtheworkethicinstilled,madethemsuccessfulinthecontinent’smostcompetitivecreativemarkets.“I’dsaythatafterexperiencingwhatissupposedtobeoneoftheworld’sbestdesignschools,SVA,theleveloftrainingIreceivedatACADwasonpar,”saysAlli,whohastaughtatSVAthelastsevenyears.
“MytimeatACADchangedmylife.ItwaslikePlato’sCave,”addsChristopher.“TheblinderscameoffandIsawtheworldfromadifferentpointofview.Itpreparedmetocompeteonaworld-classlevel.”
Top left: Blue Nectar Tequila, Biggs + Co. Right: Reebok, Biggs + Co. Bottom left: Tubby Dog. Centre: Book jacket design / The Autobiography of Mark Twain / Harper Collins Publishers New York, C.Truch. Right: Book jacket design / Soren Kierkegaard - Works of Love / Harper Collins Publishers New York, C.Truch.
52 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Debra Bishop
TAKING MANHATTAN
Learning to work hard
and smart at school in
Canada, art director
Debra Bishop has
flourished in the Big
Apple, working for
a range of big-name
magazines.
“Workethic”—thisistheedgethatDebraBishophadoverotherdesignstudentswhenshewenttoseekherfortuneinNewYork,in1984.
FromherofficeinNewYorkCity,thecreativedirectorofMoremagazineexplainsthatherfour-yeardegreefromwhatwasthenknownasthe
AlbertaCollegeofArtprovedthatshecouldmakeitanywhere,includingtheBigApple.
OneofherfavouriteACAinstructors,RickZak,encouragedhertoseekoutopportunitiesinNewYork.Travellingtherewithfellowstudents,illustratorsDougFraserandGarnetHenderson(nowherhusband),BishopdecidedtofurtherhercommunicationdesigneducationattheSchoolofVisualArts.
“AtAlbertaCollegeofArtwelearnedhowtoworkreallyhard,”sherecalls.“ItwasaveryrigorousprogramthatprepareduswelltoshineamongalltheotherstudentsatSVAwhodidn’thavethesamekindofworkethic.AlsothebroadereducationIhadreceived—coveringillustrationandadvertisingaswell—oftenhelpedme
withmynew,morespecializedfieldofgraphicdesign,asIhadamuchbiggerrepertoiretodrawmyideasfrom.”
Bishopquicklyprovedherself.OneofherSVAinstructorswasPaulaScher,theacclaimedgraphicdesignerandpainterwhoseaward-winningworkincludesbrandidentitiesfortheMuseumofModernArtandNewYorkBallet.TheCanadianwasoneofthreestudentshiredfromtheclasstoworkinScher’sstudio.
OnceontheManhattanrollercoaster,shefoundthatonerideleadstoanother.Afterfouryears,BishopwashiredforafreelanceprojectbyRolling Stone magazine,workingwithartdirectorFredWoodwardtodesignabook,Rolling Stone: The Photographs(1993).Impressed,Woodwardhired
Transforming the world Our Alumni
53Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Bishopfulltimeasseniorartdirectorforthebibleofthemusicindustry.
Then,afterastintasdeputyartdirectoratHouse&Garden,shejoinedMarthaStewart’sOmnimedia,in1997,astheartdirectorfortheMarthabyMailcatalogueandwaspromotedtodesigndirectorofMarthaStewartBaby,VP/designdirectorofKIDS:FunStufftoDoTogetherand,later,BlueprintMagazine.
Besideswinning“MagazineoftheYear”fromtheSocietyofPublicationDesigners(SPD)andtheAmericanSocietyofMagazineEditors(ASME)forKIDSandBlueprintmagazines,BishophaspickedupawardsfromtheArtDirectorsClub,theTypeDirectorsClub,AIGAandAmericanPhotography.Hergrowingreputationandgroaningawardsshelfhelpedherlandhercurrentgig,in2008,ascreativedirectorofMore,amagazine
aimedataffluent“womenofstyleandsubstance.”
Bishopadvisesstudentstofindtheirownsubstanceandstyle,andnottobediscouragedfromgettingintoprintdesign,eveninthisInternetage.“Therewillalwaysbesomekindofforumforpublicationdesign,”shesays,“whetherit’sadigitalmagazineorannualreportsorsomethingelse.”
Theimportantthingistogetthedesignfundamentalsdown,sheinsists,learninghowtoputtypographyandimagestogether.Attheendoftheday,“gooddesignisgooddesign.”
AsBishoppreparestoreturntoworkandaredesignofhermagazine,aswellasfinishingajobconsultingforParents magazineandtakingonaprojectforthe50thanniversaryoftheSPD,it’shardtodisputeherlogic.
Images courtesy of Debra Bishop
54 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Transforming the world Our Alumni
Jennifer VallisTOUGH LOVE
Challenged by her instructors to “figure it out” herself, Jennifer
Vallis has been able to pursue her passion for interactive and
performance art, and launch her own studio.
Ponderingthereasonsforhersuccessasanewmediadesigner,interdisciplinaryvisualandperformanceartist,andbusinessowner,JenniferValliscitesthe“toughlove”ofherinstructorsattheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design.“Iftherewassomethingyoudidn’tknowhowtodo,they’dsay,‘Gofigureitout,’”recallsthe20-year-old.“Itwouldbefrustrating.I’dbe,I’vepaidalotoftuitionandnowI’mbeingtoldtofigureitoutmyself?”
ButVallissoonrealizedthe“hugerewards”ofguidedself-discovery:“Intherealworld,there’snotalwayssomebodyyoucancalltoaskhowtosolveaproblem.Learningtodothisyourselfisareallyimportantskillset.”
IntheMediaArtsandDigitalTechnologiesprogramshealsolearnedtoweavetogetherthedifferentstrandsofherinterests,oftenexploringthecomplexrelationshipsbetweentechnologyandperformers.Sheusedtechnologiessuchasmotiontracking,wearableelectronicsandtangibledigitalinterfacestoenhancetheperformancesofdancersandmusicians.
SheprovidesalotofthecredittotheartistandentrepreneurshehasbecometodaytoformerInteractionDesigninstructorandheadofMADTAdamTindale.“Jennieisfearless,generousandverysocial,”says
55Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Tindale.“Whatimpressedmemostwasherdedicationtocraftandherabilitytomovetheworkforwardandacquireskills.Shewouldapproachmewithanideaandidentifyafewthingsshecouldnotdo.Iwouldmakesuggestionsandgivehersomebasics,andthenexttimeIsawhershewouldhavefoundacommunitywhereshecouldcultivatethatskillandfindnewcollaborators.”
In2011,VallisgraduatedwithaBFAandwasrecognizedasanACADBoardofGovernorsRecipientforheroutstandingachievementsinclassandout.Shestrodeintoherprofessionallifeconfidently,armedwiththetoughlovelearningandstrongconceptualskillscultivatedatACAD.
HerworkincludedbecomingaproductioncoordinatorfortheQuickdrawAnimationSocietyandartisticproducerforLaCaravanDanceTheatre.Shealsosawtheall-femaleurbanartscollectiveshefoundedinACAD,BigKitty,growinto“thelargestgroupofitskind,”withmembersacrossthecountrycollaboratingonmurals,exhibitions,liveperformances,workshopsandcommunityprojects.Thecollectiveisduetobringoutalineofclothingin2014.
Assheworkedforothers,Vallisrealizedinaflashofinspirationthatshecouldbeherownboss.In2012shefoundedStudioCartel,inCalgary,aproductionstudioandartcollectivewithfiveresidentartistsandavisitingartistprogram.Thestudiodesignsandbuildslarge-scaleartinstallations,interactiveworksandstagedesigns,whileofferingindependentcreativeservicessuchasphotographyandmetalwork.
“IwouldhaveneverbeenabletobuildacompanyandhaveacareerasIdonowwithoutACAD,”saysVallis.“Thelastcoupleofyearshavebeenamazingandcrazy.Iloveeverythingfrommakingmusictocreatingprojectionstobuildingthings.AndIamopenandreadyforwhateverhappensnext.”
Top: Digital Cave, Studio Cartel. Interactive Sculptural Installation;
PASSAGE Art Space, 2014. Photo Credit: Katy Whitt
Right: Paper Planes; Interactive Dance Performance/Installation.
Dancer: Megan Gole. Glenbow Museum, 2012.
56 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Transforming the world Our Alumni
CRITICAL SUCCESS
Through digital
agency Critical Mass,
the Delichte brothers
have helped nurture
generations of creative
talent and incubate
new businesses in
Calgary.
DarrenandJasonDelichteareproofthathowyoulearnismoreimportantthanwhat.Theyalsodemonstratethatifyoustaytruetoyourrootsandleadchangeinsteadoffollowit,thatsuccesscanbegetsuccess.
ThebrothersleftWinnipegtoenterthecommunicationdesignprogramattheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designinthe1990s,justastraditionalgraphicdesignwasbeingrevolutionizedbycomputers.Butratherthanfocusonprint,theDelichtesbecameentrancedbythepossibilitiesofworkinginthedigitalspace.Theydidalotofself-directedstudyinthisarea,especiallyunderthewatchofinstructorMichaelClairo.
“ACADhasahugereputationforthedevelopmentofitscreativeprocess,”saysDarren,whoservedmorethanthreeyearsonACAD’sBoardofGovernors.“ThedifferencebetweenACADandotherinstitutionsisthatitingrainsdeep,insightfulthinking,notsurface-levelthinking.”
WhenClairolaunchedanewcreativeagencywithentrepreneurTedHellard,in1996,calledCriticalMass,hebroughtthreeACADstudentswithhim,includingtheDelichtes.
Thebrothers’multimediaexperimentationsfitperfectlywithCriticalMass’snewmediafocus—atfirstcreatingCD-ROMs.Theagencypitchedforthebusinessof
The Delichte BrothersLeft: Darren Delichte Right: Jason Delichte
57Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Mercedes-Benz,asitsfirstmajorclient.Mercedessaid,That’snicebutwhatwereallyneedhelpdevelopingisourwebsite.CriticalMassgulped,replied,Wecandothat,too,andthenscurriedofftoteachitselfhow.
ThegroundbreakingsiteitcreatedledtoCriticalMassbecomingtheMercedes-Benzinteractiveagencyofrecord,andestablisheditsbonafidesjustasdigitaldesignwassettoexplode.Underthecreativedirectionofthetwobrothers,CriticalMassrodethiswaveandamassedashelfofawardsandanimpressiveclientlist,includingNissan,Rolex,Nike,Adidas,NASA,DisneyandAT&T.
In1999,theOmnicomGroup,theworld’slargestcommunicationsnetworkboughtastakeintheagency,enablingCriticalMasstogrowexponentially.Todayithastenglobalofficesandmorethan800employees.
Overtheyearstheagencyhasservedasanincubatorforbothlocaltalentandbusiness.IthashiredmanyACADgraduates,becausetheyhavethetrainingtodelivertheallimportant“insight-drivendesign.”“Itreallyhasbeenagreatrelationship,”saysJason.“ACADcontinuestodevelopexceptionalrawtalentandCriticalMassprovidesanamazingenvironmentforthemtocontinuetogrowandworkoncreativeprojectsforworld-classbrands.”
Headds:“Wearealsoproudoftheimpactwe’vehadonthelocalindustry.We’vebeenahubofcreativityandtechnology,wheremanytalentedpeoplehave
cuttheirteethandgoneontostartupsuccessfulcreative,designandtechnologybusinesses.”
Thebrothers’provenabilitytoadaptandinnovatecontinuestoservethemwell.JasonasVP,ExecutiveCreativeDirectorcontinuestohelpleadtheagency’screativeteamasitevolvesitsdigitalexperienceanddesignexpertisearoundtheworld.Lastyear,DarrenlefthisroleatCriticalMasstoexploreotheropportunities.HewoundupbecomingexecutivecreativedirectoratacompanylaunchedbyTedHellard,calledAppColony,servicingtheexplodingmobilephone/tabletsector.
Nissan Global What If Experience, Critical Mass
One Tap - Distracted Driving App, 2014, AppColony
58 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Reaping the rewards Our Award Recipients
Tammy McGrath
Visitors entered a scene of literary hell. Assaulted first by the earthy smell of charred paper, they saw three bloated, bat-like creatures with sharp claws hovering over a desolate landscape of more than 1,400 burnt books.
PresentedatCalgary’sTruckGalleryin2009,Voir DireisartistTammyMcGrath’smeditationonthedeathofknowledgeandtruth.Sheexplainsthattheexhibition’stitleisoldFrenchlooselytranslatedas“tospeakthetruth.”
Speakingthetruth–andinvestigatinghowitisconstructedandretained,ornot–issomethingthatthe42-year-oldmultimediaartisthasbeentryingtodoforalongtime.Shestartedbystudyingphilosophy,butherjobinaCalgarycafégotherinvolvedinthelocalartcommunity.
Followingtheleadofotherartistsshemetatthecafé,McGrathstartedtakingclassesattheAlbertaCollegeofArt
+Design,in1995.Hereshewasencouragedbyinstructorstotacklephilosophicalquestionsofinteresttoherfromavisualperspective,insteadofjustthroughthewrittenword.
“IfeltveryluckybecausetheteachersIhadwereveryengagedincriticaldiscourseandwillingtoencouragestudentstotackledifficultsubjects,”sherecalls.“Theyencouragedustotakechances.”
AftergraduatingwithherBFAinpainting,in1998,McGrathworkedasanartistandprogrammeratTheNewGallery,anartist-runcentrewheresheco-foundedMountainStandardTimePerformativeArtFestival.Fiveyearslater,shewentontogetherMFAinIntermediafromtheUniversityofRegina.
Sincethen,hercareerhasfollowedatripletrack.Shehasavibrantartpractice,teachesthroughextendedstudies
SPEAK THE TRUTH
As a multimedia artist, Tammy McGrath is constant in her determination
to study the shifting terrain of knowledge.
592013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
atACADandhasacuratorial/administrativecareeraswell.UntilrecentlyshehandledthevisualandmediaartsprogrammingattheEPCORCentreforthePerformingArts,andwascuratorandco-creatorofSoundasaurus:MultimediaSoundArtFestival,bothinCalgary.
Inherquestforthetruth,McGrathsometimesfindsthatgovernmentsare“shortsighted”intheirdecisionstocutfundingfromtheartsanduniversities.Theyforgethowimportantitistohaveavibrantartscommunitytoattracttouristsandtouristdollars.“Studiesshowthatartpromotescriticalthinking,”shesays.“Peoplewhogothroughtheseprogramsbecomevaluabletosociety,notjustintheartsbutinotherareasaswell.It’sallaboutexperimentation,askingquestionsandpushingtheboundaries.”
McGrathcontinuestopushherownboundaries.Sherecentlyreceivedthe2014ACADAlumniLegacyAwardforhergrowingbodyofworkandhercontributionsto
theartisticcommunity,despitethefactthatherworkisgoingthewayofthedodo–literally.Thissummershewasscheduledtofinishresearchandworkonaninstallationontheflightlessbirdthatwentextinctinthe17thcentury.
“I’mmakingcorrelationsbetweentheextinctionofdodobirdsandhowweaccessandrecreateknowledge,”McGrathexplains.“Thestoryofthedodoissomewhatfracturedbecauseithappenedsolongago.We’vegotconflictingstoriesaboutitsappearanceandhistory.Thebonescanonlytelluswhatthefoundationofthebirdlookedlike,therestisbasedonspeculation,wordofmouthandillustrationsthatmayormaynotbeaccurate.SothatknowledgebaseandhowitchangesispartoftheresearchI’mdoingforthisproject.”
Despitetheshiftingnatureofknowledge,McGrathremainsconstantinherdeterminationtoexploreitwithallthecreativityatherdisposal.
Top left: Adagio in G Minor: A Lullaby (component of a larger installation); Top centre: Adagio in G Minor: A Lullaby (detail);
Right: Dodo bird (pastel and ink drawing); Bottom left: still image from video piece THREE
60 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Bev Tosh
NO VOYAGE HOME
By telling the poignant tales of
war brides sailing into the unknown,
celebrated painter Bev Tosh has
gained insight into her own
family’s story.
In1946,withtherumblesandroarsofWorldWarIIfinallyquieted,DorothyAutridgestoodonthedeckofa“brideship,”aconvertedtroopship,toembarkonagreatadventure,tojointheNewZealandpilotshehadmetatadanceandmarriedshortlyafterinSaskatoon.Elevenyearslater,Dorothywasonathedeckofashipagain,thistimewithseven-andnine-year-olddaughters,thistimereturningtoherhomeinSaskatoon.
“Althoughthetripwassupposedtobeaholiday,andweweresupposedtoreturntoNewZealand,Iknewmylifewouldneverbethesameagain,”recallselderdaughterandartistBevTosh.
Likehermother,thewarbride,Toshknewshewasonaone-waypassagetotheunknown.Thetwovoyagesbracketamysteryofmemory,identityanddislocationthathasfiredherimaginationandsinceguidedherprofessionalchoicesinanefforttounderstand.
Tograspthereasonsforthevoyagesthroughlightanddark,shewenttotheUniversityofSaskatchewantostudypsychology.Butshewoundupgettingadualdegreeinpsychologyandfineart,findingthatshepenetratedthemysterymoreeffectivelywithvisuallanguage.Shehonedthislanguagefurtheranddevelopedherfigurativestyle,withafour-yearshonoursdiplomainpaintingattheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design,andthenwithanMFAinpaintingfromtheUniversityofCalgary.
Toshsetupasuccessfulartpractice,andkeptherselfenergizedbyteachingandmentoringemergingartistsandlecturingatseveralCanadiancollegesanduniversities,including14yearsatACAD.Still,questionsabouthermother’swarbrideexperience,andpainfulmemoriesoftheirbrokenfamily’sforceddeparture,lingered.
Reaping the rewards Our Award Recipients
61Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Tohelpher“negotiatementallyandphysicallythrough[hermother’s]passagethroughlife,”Toshpaintedaneight-by-six-footportraitofDorothyasawarbride,in2001.ThestunningpaintingthathassincehungintheNationalWarMuseuminOttawa,setToshonavoyagetounderstandthewarbrideexperienceinitslargercontext,tolearnandtellstoriesthathithertohadgoneunheard,beforetheagedsubjectsthemselvesweresilencedbythemarchoftime.
WhileToshwasgivingaworkshopinNewZealand,alocalnewspaperranacopyofhermother’sportraitonitsfrontpage.Thisinspiredanumberoflocalwarbridestocontactherwiththeirstories.Infactnewsofherartunleashedaninternationaloutpouringofwomenwhowantedtohavetheirstoriestold,fromacrossCanada,theUnitedStates,Britain,HollandandAustralia.
Feelingcompelledtotellthewarbridestories–andthroughthem,hermother’sandherown–Toshhasexpandedhertechnicalrepertoire,sothathergrowingOne-Way Passagewarbrideseriesincludesportraitsonwooden,TearBottles(smallbottlescontainingtinyportraitsandseawater),abridalveilofvintagehandkerchiefs,eachembroideredwith
thenameofabrideship,andevensculpture.Tug of War(Tender Steel)(2011),forexampleisa10-foot-longsculpturethatusesonecontinuouslengthofwiretoweavetogether15warbridesandacoupleofinfantsonashipboundtoAustraliain1946.
Toshhasalsopublishedabook,War Brides: One-Way Passage (2008).Shehasalsowonanumberofawards,includingtheQueenElizabethIIDiamondJubileeMedal,AlbertaCentennialMedal,theEnbridgeAlumniProfessionalDevelopmentAwardandACAD’sDistinguishedAlumniLegacyAward.
QuiteclearlyTosh’sownworkdemonstratesthatartisn’timportantbecauseitisvaluablebutbecauseitisinvaluable.Shehascapturedcompellingstoriesfromadramaticperiodofhistory,andtoldthemwithavisualvocabularythatcelebratestheminawaythey’llneverbeforgotten–aculturallegacy.
Whilethenine-year-oldstandingonthedeckoftheshipintheNewZealandharbourmayneverknowwhysheisleavinghome,Tosh’srichvoyageofself-discoveryhasgivenhersafepassage.
62 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Reaping the rewards Our Award Recipients
Jeff de Boer“Ialwaysimaginedwhatwouldhappenifwecouldturnoffart,justshutoffcreativity,”saysCalgaryartistJeffdeBoer.“Therealityis,thewholeworldwoulddescendintodarkness.
“Artissointegratedintoourlives,governmentandpeopledon’tunderstandwhatwouldhappenifitdisappeared.Theirclothingwouldn’tlookgood.Theirfoodwouldn’ttastegood.Therewouldbenocolourorlife.”
Anditwouldlacksuitsofdetail-perfectarmourcraftedforcatsandmice,chain-mailnecktiesforbusinessmen,sword-handledbriefcases,rocketlamps,highartexoformsandpublicartinstallationsthatgettongueswagging.
DeBoercomesbythemetal-infusedbloodhonestly.Inspiredbyhisfather,
aprofessionaltinsmith,hebegantoexplorethe“endlesspossibilities”ofmetal,buildinghisfirstsuitofarmourinhisfamily’sgarageduringhighschool.In1984heenrolledattheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Designforjewellerydesign.
Herehelearnedtobecomeanartistwithoutborders,asathomedesigningjewelleryascreatinglargesculptures.“Manypeoplethinkacraftdepartmentisaboutjustlearninghandskills,”hesays.“Theysayit’snotcreative,butitreallyis.IgraduatedfromACADmakingsculptures,andtheywerefinewiththat.Thejewellerydepartmentwasfundamentallyopen,withanopendefinitionofwhatcanbeconsideredart.”
Armedwiththiscreativecarteblanche,deBoercreatedthefirstsuitsof
A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
Jeff de Boer has gone
from jewellery design
to creating suits of
armour for mice and
cats, to advocating
that artists be the
CEOs of their creative
enterprises.
63Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
armourforcatsandmiceinschoolin1986,combininghisnewskillsinjewelleryconstructionwithhiswell-forgedknowledgeofarmourmaking.AftergraduatingfromACADin1988,hecontinuedontomakemousearmourforcommission,spendingupto200hoursonasuit,workingwithmaterialsthatincludesteel,silver,brass,bronze,nickel,copper,leather,fibreandwood.
Fromthere,onetypeofworkledtoanother,includingsteampunkspacegearandlarge-scalepublicinstallations,suchasthegiantwind-uptintoysintheregionalterminaloftheCalgaryInternationalAirport.WhiledealingwithcorporateclientsdeBoerwasinspiredtoshifthowheviewedhimself,believingthatartistscouldalsobeinnovators,leadersandpresidents.“IstartedtothinkofmyselfasaCEOofmyowncreativity,equaltoaCEOinanycorporationthatcametomeforwork,”heexplains.“Andthatwasthegamechanger.”
HisnewgameleddeBoertoembracethemakermovement,whereartistscollaboratewithengineers,designers,fabricators,accountantsandotherprofessionalsonprojectsthatfeaturecreativeusesofpracticalskillsandpracticalusesofcreativeones.AcoupleofyearsagoheconvenedthefirstmeetingoftheLeagueofExtraordinaryMakers(LEXM),whichnowhasabout100membersworldwide,collaboratingonprojectssuchaswearabletechnologyfashionandacost-effectivelarge-format3Dscanner.Theyhavealsotakentheleadinpushingforaworld-class,30,000squarefootmakerfacilityinCalgary.
Atthesametime,hehastakenhisworld-classartisticskillsbacktohisalmamater,teachingaJewelleryDesignandPresentationclass.Helovestheopportunitytomentoryoungtalent.“BecauseI’maworkingartist,teachingisanopportunitytosharereal-worldskillsthatareconstantlychangingwithstudents.I’malwaystestingoutnewideaswithstudents,
andfindsometimesthattheyhaveasmuchtoteachmeaboutnewideas,”saysthe51-year-old,whoreceivedACAD’s2014AlumniLegacyAwardandtheBoardofGovernorsAlumniAwardofExcellenceforhisprofessionalandartisticachievements.
OneofthelessonsthatdeBoerpassesontoyoungartistsistotrulyvaluetheirwork,especiallyinadayandagewhengovernmentcaresmoreaboutbottomlinesthancreativeexpression.Hepointsoutthatsuchexpressionisimportantbecauseartanddesigncanaddvaluetolocalproductsanddifferentiatethemfromthefloodofcheaplymass-manufacturedonescomingfromoverseas.
“IfinditironicthatpoliticianswouldgetonaplanetogotoParisorItalytoseeart,”hesaysfromhisCalgarystudio,whereheworkswithhiswife,Deborah.“Buttheywon’thaveanyofitintheirbackyard.Well,howdotheythinkParisandItalygotfineart?Theyhadaculturethatinvestedinit.”
Left: "Cyclone", 2006, steel, barbed wire. Photo courtesy of the Glenbow Museum. Right: Dragon Cat, 2012, steel.
64 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
A WANDERING TALENT
For interdisciplinary artist Elisabeth
Belliveau the medium doesn’t matter
– it’s the ideas that count.
ElisabethBelliveauisaJillofmanytradesandamasteroflayered,nuancedexpression.
Shehasledawanderinglifematchedbyafar-reachingtalentthat’shardtodescribe.The35-year-oldisaninterdisciplinaryartistwholistsdrawing,stop-motionanimation,writingand“makingthings”asherareasofexpertise.Addtothissculpture,graphicnovelcreation,textileportraitsandtattooartandyoucanseeshe’shardtopindown.
Asachild,Belliveau’sphysicalwanderingbeganwhenherfamilymovedfromAntigonish,NovaScotiatoCalgary.AfterahighschooltriptotheAlbertaCollegeofArt+Design,shewentfrom“notevenknowingyoucouldgetadegreeinart”toenteringthesculptureprogramatthecollege,in1997.
“ThiswasprobablythebesttimeIhadasanartistinmywholecareer,”sherecalls.“Weallkindofjustmovedinandlivedinthecollege.Weweretheredayandnightandslepttherehalfthetime.Itjusttookovermylife.”
AftergraduatingwithaBFAinsculpture,in2006,BelliveaubegantomovetodifferentcitiesandtakeaseriesofresidenciesinplacesthatincludedVenice,NewYorkState,SwedenandNewfoundland.Alongthewayshediscoveredthatanitinerantcan’treallypursueacareerinsculpture,shippingaroundcastconcreteandbronzepieces.Shestartedworkingonasmallerscale,writing,teachingherselftodostop-motionanimation(“buildingwholeworldsinaverysmallspace”)andrampingupherdrawingskills.
Tokeepherfriendsuptodatewithhertravels,Belliveaustartedtomake’zines,meldingherburgeoningdrawingandwritingskills.ThengreattalentmetgreatluckwhenabookpublisherdiscoveredherdrawingsinacoffeeshopandcommissionedBelliveau’sfirstbook.HerDon’t Get Lonely, Don’t Get LostcollectionofshortstoriesanddrawingswaspublishedbyConundrumPressin2010.Andthisyear,
Elisabeth Belliveau
Reaping the rewards Our Award Recipients
Self portrait drawings, Elisabeth Belliveau
652013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Conundrumisscheduledtoreleaseherfourthbook,One Year in America,agraphicnovelthatdrawsontheartist’sexperiencesinfigureskating,inCanada,UnitedStatesandtripsabroad.
Atthesametime,shehasdonesoloandgroupshowsofhervariousformsofwork,garneringanAlbertaFoundationoftheArtsCreationGrantin2013andanACADAlumniHonourAwardin2014.Ofherwide-rangingartisticfocusBelliveausays,“I’mnotinterestedinstickingtoonemedium.Formeideasaremostimportant.Iwanttofindtherightmediumtoconveytheidea,ratherthanbeinglockedintoacertaintradition.”
SheisabletogiveherinterdisciplinaryfocusfullreignatConcordiaUniversity,inMontreal,whereshereceivedherMFAinstudioartsandnowactsasavisitingassistantprofessorinARTX.Theprogramencouragesstudentsto
“questiontheboundariesoftraditionalartdisciplinesandengagethecreativepotentialoftransdisciplinarypractice.”
“ToteachatConcordia,”shesays,“ItrytorememberwhatwasmostvaluabletomeasIdidmyundergradatACAD.Wehadsuchanimmersive,intensecommunityandteacherswhowerejustsogenerousthatIwanttogiveback.”
Notsurprisingly,Belliveauisn’tcontenttositstill.Atthetimeofinterview,shewaslookingforwardtoasummerfreeofteachingduties,whereshecouldconcentrateonherownwork.Shehadjustputthefinishingtoucheson One Year in America,wasgoingtofinishshootinganewanimationandwaspreparingaexhibitfortheAlbertaFoundationoftheArtsthatwilltraveltheprovinceoverthenexttwoyears.
Andwhat’snextforBelliveau?Well,anything,anywhere.Thepossibilitiesareendless.
Above: “Go So we may see”, 2013, 2.5 minutle loop, silent.
Photos courtesy: Elisabeth Belliveau
66 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Nurturing art, growing creativity Our Generous Partners
Enbridge’scontributiontotheartsislikeaspectrum,acontinuoussequenceofrelatedideas,andEnbridgerepeatedlyhonoursthiscommitmentthroughvariedandmeaningfulinitiatives.Onespecialinitiative,thePresident’sEmergingArtist+DesignerProgram,supportsartistsatbothendsofthecareerspectrumandshowcasesawiderangeofartworktoEnbridgeemployeesandvisitors.
AstheleadingsponsorofthePresident’sEmergingArtist+DesignerProgram,EnbridgeexhibitsartworkbyACADstudents,alumniorworksfromACAD’sIllingworthKerrGalleryintheircommunityreceptionareawhereitisaccessibletoallemployeesandcompanyguests.Anewexhibitisprogrammedapproximatelyeveryfourmonths,providinganopportunitytoshowcaseavarietyofworks.
“AtEnbridgeweunderstandthatlifetakesenergy,andthattheenergyinartengagesusandinspiresus,”saysD’ArcyLevesque,VicePresident,EnterpriseCommunications,EnbridgeInc.“ThatiswhyweareproudtopartnerwithACADtosponsoremergingandestablishedartistsinAlberta,andtobringpoignantworksofarttoouremployees.”
Enbridge’spartnershipwithACADprovidesopportunitiesforemployeestomeetandminglewiththeircoworkersforthought-provokingdiscussions,andgivesthemasenseofprideknowingthattheircompanypromotesandvaluesinnovativethinkingandacreativeculture.TheexhibitsatEnbridgenotonlyacquaintemployeeswithworksofart,theyprovideavaluablelearningtoolforACADfacultyandstudentswhoselectandcuratealltheexhibits.Theycreateabridgebetweenartistsandthecommunityduringon-siteeventssuchaslunchandlearns,receptions,andartisttalks.
Blake Little. John Cross, Nanton,
AB. Colour photograph, 2012
Black Little. Bob Koch, Nanton,
AB. Colour photograph, 2012
Spotlight: Enbridge Inc.Supporting a spectrum of art
672013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
$50,000 and overEdmontonCommunityFoundationEnbridgeInc.
$25,000 to $49,999AlbertaFoundationfortheArtsAnonymousDonors
$10,000 to $24,999CalgaryArtsDevelopmentAuthorityCanadaCouncilfortheArtsCorusEntertainmentInc.CriticalMassProductionsInc.EstateofRodJStuartShawCommunicationsInc.TheCalgaryFoundation
$5,000 to $9,999Mr.BillChomikandMs.DianeChomikMs.SheilaO’BrienandMr.KevinPetersonMs.MaryL.RozsadeCoquetMr.JamesStanfordMr.MichaelJ.TimsandMrs.RenaeN.TimsMs.LoriVanRooijenandMr.CourtneyShearerCalgaryExhibitionandStampedeRozsaFoundationUnitedStatesConsulateGeneralXEROXCanada
$2,500 to $4,999Mr.MorrisDancygerandMrs.AnnDancygerMr.DougFletcherMs.SharonMartensMs.RoxanneMcCaigandMr.MarkBartkoMrs.M.CarolRyderACADStudents’AssociationBarlowBrothersLtd.RotaryClubofCalgaryCommunityServiceFundTDInsuranceMelocheMonnex
up to $2,500Mr.AlanBriksMr.DavidL.CaseyDr.DanielDozandMrs.DeniseSmythe-Doz
Mr.WilliamF.DumaandMrs.AnneDumaMs.LoriFaganMr.GregoryJ.ForrestandMs.MargoHelperMs.GwynneHughesMrs.AdrienneC.JenkinsMs.JoanneA.JohnsonMr.MichaelE.LobsingerMrs.AnnMarieMacEachernMs.JaneE.McQuittyMr.RobertL.MelvilleMr.JackMoxnessMrs.DoreenOuchiandMr.ConradOuchiMr.AllenPrattandJoanAldisMr.BretG.ReinboldMr.JimSellersandMs.JudithBaderMs.DianaSherlockMs.MarleneSternMrs.PennyStoneMs.DeborahStuartMr.MichaelStuartMr.ThomasStuartMrs.DianneTaylor-GearingMrs.BarbaraTetzlaffandMr.CarlTetzlaffMs.IreneTraudtMs.DawnValcourtMrs.SusanVeenhovenMs.LauraVickersonMr.BrettWilsonA.U.P.E.Local071/006ACADAlbertaPottersAssociationCalgary/BanffPhotographyFestivalSocietyCalgaryBoardofEducation-EarlGreySchoolCanadaHelpsChinookEnergyInc.ConsulatGeneralofFranceMarshCanadaLtd.Robinson’sCameraCentreLtd.TeamTELUSCaresTheCameraStoreTheCityofCalgaryUnitedWayofCalgaryandAreaVistekLtd.
UndertheEnbridgeleadsponsorshipofthePresident’sEmergingArtist+DesignerprogramwithACAD,Enbridgeproudlypresentstwoscholarships.One,theEnbridgeAlumniProfessionalDevelopmentAwardisawardedannuallytoanACADalumnuswhoisestablishedintheircareer.Thisyear,the$5,000awardwaspresentedtoBeverleyTosh,whograduatedwithDistinctionfromACAD(Painting,1985)andalsotaughtatACADfrom1988-2002.Tosh’sOne-Way Passageisawarbridesseriesbasedonherpersonalhistoryandhasbeenexhibitednationallyandinternationally(readaboutBevToshonpage54).
Asecondscholarshipispresentedtoanaspiringyoungartistwhodreamsofmakingarttheirprofession.TherecipientofthisawardisselectedfromACAD’sShowOff!,ajuriedexhibitionofhighschoolstudents’workfromacrossAlberta,NunavutandtheNorthwestTerritories.Thewinner,chosenbyapanelofACADfacultyandanEnbridgeemployee,willbeassistedintheirartisticdevelopmentthroughthepaymentoftheirfirstyearoftuitionattheCollege.
“ACADisdelightedtopartnerwithEnbridgeonthissignificantsponsorshipasitprovidessupportforarteducationscholarshipsandentrepreneurialexperiencesforartstudents,andcreatesaplatformbywhichextraordinaryyoungtalentisshowcased”,saysKaraTersen,ACAD’sDirectorofPhilanthropy+Communications.“Itisclearthatwiththeirsupport,EnbridgeiscultivatingandpreservingaspectrumofartactivityatACAD,withintheircorporatewalls,throughoutCalgary,andbeyond.”
ACADisproudtocelebrateEnbridgeastheleadsponsorofthePresident’sEmergingArtist+DesignerprogramforthreeyearsfromJanuary1,2014toDecember31,2016.
About Enbridge Inc: Life takes energy. And for more than 65 years, Enbridge Inc. has been fueling our quality of life, delivering the energy our customers need to live their lives to the fullest. To do this, Enbridge operates the world’s longest crude oil and liquid transportation system and we own and operate Canada’s largest natural gas distribution company. We also help to generate more than 1,800 megawatts of renewable and alternative energy. At Enbridge, we are proud of what we do and how we make life better. Because when the energy our customers invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, amazing things happen. For more information about how Enbridge fuels our quality of life through the transmission, distribution and generation of energy, please visit enbridge.com.
Donations made in the 2013/14 fiscal year.
Thank-you for your generosity!
68 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Nurturing Art, Growing Creativity Our Generous Partners
Spotlight: The Calgary Foundation
TheCalgaryFoundationhasalongandrespectedhistoryinfacilitatinginvestmentinvitalcommunityprogramsbyconnectingdonorswithorganizationswhocontributetotheeconomic,socialandenvironmentalwellbeingofthecity.EvaFriesen,PresidentandCEOofTheCalgaryFoundation,believesthatartisadrivingforceinmaintainingCalgary’slong-termsustainabilityandfinancialgrowth.
“Theartsareoneoftheelementsthatcanmakeagreatcityevengreater”,saysFriesen.“Theartscananddoinspireandencouragecreativityinall
ages,createconversationsaroundsocialissues,anddriveoureconomybycreatingmarqueeeventsthatattracttourists.”
Friesen,whohasbeenatthehelmofTheCalgaryFoundationsince2005,hasconsistentlydemonstratedthisbeliefinthepowerofthearts.In2012-13,theorganizationwaspartofasteeringcommitteeforCalgaryArtsDevelopment,taskedtoproduceanartsdevelopmentstrategyforCalgary.Together,theyengagedover1,000voicesthatproducedLivingaCreativeLife,anartsimplementationplantoengagepeopleofallagesandwalksoflife.
ACADhasbeenasignificantbeneficiaryofTheCalgaryFoundation’scommitmenttotheartswithTheCalgaryFoundationsupportinganumberofspecialinitiativegrantsatACADthroughoutthepast20years.Thisyear,TheCalgaryFoundationmadeagranttoACADthatenabledtheCollegetobeakeypartnerinahistoricalexhibitandinternationalsymposium,Stronger than Stone.Thissymposiumbringstogetherworld-renownedartistsandthinkersandgaveACADanimportantopportunitytocollaboratewithlargeinstitutionsandgalleriesincludingtheUniversityofSaskatchewanandtheMendelArtGallery(readmoreaboutStronger than Stone onpage7).
Inadditiontogrants,TheCalgaryFoundationprovidesongoingfinancialsupporttoACADstudentsthroughaninterestingmixofscholarshipsandotherawardsfundedthroughdonor-directedfunds,including:
Eva Friesen –
Opening doors for
investment in the arts
692013-14 Annual ReportALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
• TheM.James&ElsieMathiesonCharitableTrustFundannualscholarshipsinphotography
• TheJanetMitchellScholarshipforpromisingstudentsinthevisualarts
• TheOwenScholarshipforsingleparentsstudyingpart-time
• TheNewzonesGalleryofContemporaryArtGraduatingScholarshipsupportingahighachievinggraduatestudentinpainting,drawingorsculpture
• TheNicoleJenniferCreigMemorialScholarship
• TheJames&LillianBuddAwardforstudentswithdisabilities
• TheSusanAgopsowiczScholarship,AlumniandFriendsAward
Thenumerousscholarships,grantsandotherawardsthatTheCalgaryFoundationfacilitatesanddirectstoACADhavetangibleresultsintherealworld.SaysFriesen,“ACAD
shouldbesoproudthatcountlessACADgraduatesaremakingremarkablecontributionstoourcommunity,country,andbeyond”.ACADgraduateshavegoneontostartsuccessfulcompanies,contributebeautifulartworktothecity’spublicspaces,teachandmentoryoungpeopleinthecommunity,fostercreativityandentrepreneurshipinallindustries,anduseartasawaytohealtoinspirepeopleinallsegmentsofsociety.
FriesenmakesastrongpointthatACAD’sroleextendsbeyondtrainingandeducatingthosewhowanttomakeacareerinfineart,designormediaarts.ACADplaysavitalroleforpeoplewhohaveothercareersandarepassionateabouttheartsasafundamentalpartoftheireverydaylives.Throughitseducationprogramandbyitsverypresenceinthecommunity,ACADcanopenthedoorforeveryonetoliveacreativelife.
FormoreinformationaboutTheCalgaryFoundationandhowtosupportACADthroughgrantsandscholarships,pleasevisitthecalgaryfoundation.org
70 Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Nurturing art, growing creativity Our Generous Partners
RecentACADgraduateKrisWeinmannwantstostayconnectedwithhisalmamatertowitnessthevisualculturethatisactivelybeinggeneratedthere.“It’senergizingandinspiringtokeepclosetotheschool.Itletsmekeepmyfingeronthepulseofnewartisticideasandopportunities.”ItiswhyWeinmannchosetobecomeanACADSquaresosoonaftergraduating(hegraduatedin2012withhisBFAinpainting).InfacthewaspartofthecommitteethatdefinedthenewlylaunchedACADSquaresprogramthatfacilitateslearningopportunitiesforACADstudentsandfostersaconnectionbetweentheCollegeandthepublic.
ItisthisconnectionthatWeinmannsaysisvitalforthelong-termsustainabilityofACAD,andinturnforourcityandprovince.Hebelievesthatwhathecallsa“languagebarrier”existsbetweenthegeneralpublicandartists,wherethepubliccan’tquiteconnectthedotsastohowtheartscontributetothegrowthofthecity’seconomyandenrichitsculturalfabric.“OncepeoplestarttorecognizetheimportanceoftheartsandhowsignificantlyACADgraduateshaveimpactedtheircity,that’swhenwe’llbeinabetterposition
tocompetewiththerestoftheworld.”HepointstoCriticalMass,HeavyIndustriesandF&DSceneChangesasexamplesofhighlysuccessfulorganizations,allestablishedbyACADalumni,whichhavesignificantlyimpactedthecityfrombothaneconomicandculturalperspective.
TheACADSquaresprogramenablescelebratedandsuccessfulartistsfromaroundtheworldtovisitACAD,enhancingclassroomexperiencewithreal-lifeglobalbestpractices.ThesevisitingartistshelpequipACADstudentswiththetoolsnecessarytobecomesuccessfulaftergraduation.Theprogramalsofacilitatesstudentsandfacultytoattendresidenciesandtravelprogramsanywhereintheworldwheretheycanenhancetheirpracticethroughlessonslearnedfromartistsindifferentcultureswhohaveadifferentwayoflookingattheworld.
Weinmannisastrongbelieverthatstudentsneedtoengagewiththeworldandunderstandwhatisouttherebylearningnewmethodologies,seeingunfamiliarvisuallanguages,andexperiencingdifferentcultures.TheACADSquaresprogramallowsstudentstotakewhattheylearnfromvisitingartistsorthroughtheirown
travel,addittotheirreservoirofinformation,andsynthesizeitintotheirownwork,cultivatingstrongerandbetterartisticpractices.
ForWeinmann,theACADSquaresprogramisameansforACADtocelebrateandpromoteitsachievements.OneofthebenefitsofbeinganACADSquareisbeingabletomeetandinteractwiththestudentsandseefirst-handhowtheCollege’seducationprocessworks.“Whenpeopleparticipateinclassroomworkshopsthereisoftenamagicthatoccurs”,saysWeinmann.ThismagictranslatesintoafulleranddeeperunderstandingofhowACADanditsgraduatesimpactourcity’svisualculture,ourrelationshipswithothersinthecommunity,andthetangiblesocietalbenefitsthatarisefromthis.Inthisway,theACADSquaresprogramconnectsthedotsbetweenartistsandthegeneralpublicandenablesmemberstochampionACADasaworld-classartsandculturehub.
There are multiple levels of membership in the ACAD Squares program, each with special benefits. For more information or to become an ACAD Square please visit acad.ca/acadsquares or email acadsquares@acad.ca.
Spotlight: ACAD Squares
Kristopher Weinmann
- Supporting visual
culture
71Catalyst ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
BOARD OF GOVERNORS GRADUATING STUDENT AWARDS Ceramics Byron RempleDrawing Jake Klein-WallerFibre Christine ThomsonGlass David MartinJewellery + Metals Brittany SteinhublMedia Arts + Digital Technologies Nick HeerPainting Deepechhya OjhaPhoto Bobby NgPrint Alyson PaulsonSculpture Alexandria InksterVCD Advertising Mary Kathryn PresceskyVCD Character Design Micaela de BoerVCD Graphic Design Ruth LeeVCD Illustration Ryan Pearse
ALUMNI AWARDS Alumni Legacy Award Jeff de BoerBoard of Governors Alumni Award of Excellence Jeff de BoerAlumni Horizon Awards Matthew Bourree Larissa Tiggelers Kristopher Weinmann Alumni Honour Awards Brian Batista Elisabeth Belliveau William Bewick Jaan Poldaas Chad VanGaalenAlumni Legacy Awards Jeff de Boer Tammy McGrath Bev ToshTD Insurance Meloche Monnex Alumni Awards Steve Cottingham Julia JungwirthEnbridge Alumni Professional Development Award Bev Tosh
ENTRANCE AWARDS 3M Direct Entry Scholarship Emily StoneACAD Entrance Awards Logan Echols Nathanael Evans Dale Feeler Taryn Garrett Khloe Ilsley Taryn Mallas Riley Meek-Schulz Michelle Novak Ellen Patterson Miles Petrick Sheyenne Smith Derek Sproule Emily Stone Erika (Bronwyn) Von Niessen Haibo XuShow Off Scholarships Kyrsten Lofts Robyn ShouldiceContinuing Arts Association First Year Scholarship Alexandra Hodgson
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS + AWARDS ACAD Drawing Community Service Scholarship Victoria Braun Keesha PalmerACAD First Year Studies Scholarship Andrew Argue Mariah Brusatore Jordan Chow Haley Craw Saje Damen
Megan Feniak Elizabeth Friesen Nicole Haywood Jamie Kroeger Martina Laird-Westib Michelle Lazo Yao Li Joelle Lino-Wiseman Emilie-Justine MacPhail Tierra Marasse Hannah Palmer Gabrielle Parent Mary Sanche Claudia Sanchez Daza Adele Schatschneider Mareike Stobbe Claire Taylor Kristina VidakACAD Second Year Drawing Major Merit Scholarship Amanda Chan Jordan SchinkelACAD Second Year Scholarship Vanessa Chaplin Giulia Comin Amy Cornelson Sadia Fakih Brandon Giessmann Mary Haasdyk Emily Hurst Fong Ku Carolyn Mackenzie James Mulholland Mitchell Nabata Kellie Reid Linda Roberts Katerina Slaba Ella Valge-SaarACADSA Second Year Legacy Award Chelsea Yang-SmithACAD Third Year Drawing Major Merit Scholarship Hannah Petkau Sara Rennie Sean TaalACADSA Third Year Legacy Award Stephanie OrrACAD Fourth Year Drawing Major Merit Scholarship Solveig Agecoutay Svea Ferguson Tait WilmanACADSA Fourth Year Legacy Award Anna Burger-MartindaleACAD Sculpture Major Award Emily Promise Allison Nicole TritterACAD Student Travel Scholarship Nicole Brunel Joel Farris Sarah Grodecki Leah Kudel Luke Maddaford Stephanie OrrAlberta Potters Association Ceramics Scholarship Shannon LeardoAlberta Society Of Artists Scholarship Ella Valge-Saar Morgan PinnockArtstream Scholarship Jessica RobertsonBarbara + John Poole Family Scholarship Fund Emily Promise Allison Carlin Brown Erin Campbell Philip Kanwischer Jake Klein-Waller Leah Kudel Tait Wilman
ACAD Awards + Accomplishments
72 2013-14 Annual Report ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART + DESIGN
Bernard Franklin Stockland Memorial Scholarship Frances MottaBob Ranson Memorial Scholarship Carson TofinCalgary Sketch Club Scholarship Giulia Comin Ella Valge-SaarContinuing Arts Association Travel Scholarship Amy Pon Alisa ProshuninaDelwyn Darling Memorial Scholarship Christina Bennett Christopher KohanikDoris Brown Memorial Scholarship Shyla Baron Carlin BrownDr. JC Sproule Memorial Scholarship Mia RileyDr. Ray Sr. And Honey Ray Memorial Scholarship Daniel CleghornEugene Ouchi Memorial Scholarship Taylor PlemelExcellence In Sculpture Scholarship Emily Promise AllisonFibre Major Innovative Deveopment Award Stephanie Orr Sandrine WeltzinFrances A Rodgers Excellence Endowment Mia RileyFrances A Rodgers Scholarship In Ceramics Kelsey MercierFrank Vervoort Memorial Scholarship Nicole BrunelGDC Alberta South Chapter Scholarship Sarah GonzalesGlass Student Fund Scholarship Kate SlabaHarley Brown Artistic Scholarship Tait Wilman Carlin BrownHenry Clinton Scholarship Fund Lauren Shipton Gladzy Kei ZunigaHomesteader’s Legacy Scholarship Toni QuanqIgnac + Karla Herskovic Memorial Scholarship Carlin Brown Leah KudelIgnac + Karla Herskovic Travel/ Fine Art Study Scholarship Kelsey TovellIllingworth Kerr Scholarship Katriona Drijber Fong Ku Christine Thomson Kathryn Cooke Laura Read Svea FergusonJanet Mitchell Award (The Calgary Foundation) Philip KanwischerJanine Trudel + Steve Coughlin + Family Memorial Scholarship Sarah GonzalesJenny Belzberg Endowment Benjamin Gervais Nicole TritterJewellery + Metals Execution of Conceptually Based Work Fei SuJewellery + Metals Fourth Year Studio GPA Anna Burger-MartindaleJewellery + Metals Major Prize Fei SuJewellery + Metals Technical Merit Prize Melanie Archer Stephanie ElderfieldJoane Cardinal-Schubert Memorial Scholarship Alyssa EllisJohn Brocke Memorial Scholarship Matthew NgJohn H. + Kathleen Snow Scholarship Jade CarpenterLarge Glass Award Lusia StetkiewiczLaura Mae Stillings Scholarship Carlin BrownLiberal Studies Essay Prize Victoria BraunM. James + Elsie Mathieson Scholarship (The Calgary Foundation) Stephanie Haynes
Philip Kanwischer Taryn Nakamura Bobby Ng Carson TofinMedia Arts + Digital Technologies Third Year Research + Production Tessa SechayMedia Arts + Digital Technologies Fouth Year Research + Production Mathew LindenbergMedia Arts + Digital Technologies Fourth Year Travel Manuel ErmecheoMedalta Residency Award Adam LefebureMobility + Exchange Travel Scholarship – Winter Kelsey TovellNew York Studio Residency Program Nicole Brunel Morgan PinnockNicole Jennifer Creig Memorial Scholarship Jennifer FedorowichOwen Scholarship (The Calgary Foundation) Kelly ArchibaldPainting Second Year Award Marcia FisherPainting Third Year Award Carlin Brown Nicole Brunel Chloe SaundersPainting Fourth Year Award Erin Campbell Sarah Grodecki Larissa HauckPassion Pages Morgan Pinnock Photography Major Second Year Student Recognition Award Jade TyackePhotography Major Third Year Student Recognition Award William EasonPhotography Major Fourth Year Student Recognition Award Brittany NickersonPhotography Major Public Service Award – Winter Natalia BarberisPhyllis Balm Purchase Award Dayna EllenPhyllis Balm Student Award Karin McginnPilchuck Glass School Scholarship Leah KudelPlainsman Clay Limited Scholarship Ella Valge-SaarPrint Media Travel Scholarship Nicole EdmondPrint Portfolio Scholarship Scott Baird Felicity HartRondi Lee Johnson Memorial Ceramics Scholarship Byron RempleRondi Lee Johnson Memorial Ceramics Community Scholarship Catherine DaleRyan Lovett Painting Scholarship Oliva StecklyShaw Communications Professional Opportunity + Experience Award Amy PonStanford Perrott Innovative Projects Scholarship Leah Kudel Stephanie Orr Jiyi RheeStudio At The Corning Museum of Glass Brianna GluszakSusanne Agopowicz Memorial Scholarship Anna Burger-Martindale Keesha PalmerTD Insurance Meloche Monnext Career Award for Graduating Students Lyndsay WaskoThe Calgary Herald Centennial Scholarship Lauren ShiptonTyler Johnson Memorial Scholarship Nicole BrunelTyman And Victor Bronz Memorial Glass Scholarship Graeme Dearden
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OVERALL RESULTS AND OUTLOOK
TheFinancialResultsfortheyearendedJune30th,2014reflectsanoveralloperatingshortfallof$259kandavariancetobudgetfortheyearof$270k.Thisisduetoanunfavourableoverallrevenuevarianceof$269kprimarilyduetofewerstudentFLEs(of73comparedtobudget)andareductioninoverallfeescomparedtobudgetof$990k,andunrealizedtargetedrevenuegenerationofapproximately$172k.Theserevenueshortfallswereoffsetbyhigherlevelsofprovincialandothergrantsthanbudgetedof$944kincludingthereceiptofunexpectedprovincialgrantsof$433ktooffsetannouncedtuitionfreezesandpreviouslyannouncedgrantreductionsin2013-2014.Summerfloodingandphonesystemchallengesin2013-2014impactedsomerevenuesinExtendedStudies.
Theyearendedwithnoexpenditurevariancecomparedtobudgetalthoughthecollegehadanumberofonetimeinitiativesincludedintheyearthatwerefundedfromdeferredrevenuesandtransfersfromrestrictedoperatingreservesof$435kwhichmorethanoffsettheresultingnetdeficit.ItisexpectedthatrevenuegenerationtosupportprogramsandserviceswillhoweverbeanimportantchallengeastheCollegecontinuestoaddressfutureplansforsustainability.
Expendituresinmostareasdidtrackgenerallyfavourablyfortheyearwiththeexceptionofsessionalsalarieswhichwere71%higherthanbudgetduetothefillingoffacultyvacanciesandtherequiredbackfillingofpositionsduetoanumberofextendedillnessleaves.Sometimingdifferencesrelativetotheproratedbudgetswerealsoevidentduringtheyear,suchaspurchasesinthebookstore,butthesedidleveloutoverthelatterhalfoftheyearasactivitylevelsincreasedordecreasedinsomeareasduetothewinterstartup.Expenditureswerealsofavourableforutilities,ITmaintenance,telephoneservices,andcustodialservicesdueinparttovariancesfromcontractandbilledratechangeincreases.
Summary of Key Variances and Financial StatusREVENUES
TotalRevenuesfortheperiodendingJune30,2014are$20,306kcomparedto$21,333kforthesameperiodlastyearrepresentingadecreaseof1.3%frombudgetedrevenue.
TherehasbeenanoveralldecreaseingovernmentfundingtoACADcomparedtothesameperiodlastyearof$980k.ThisdecreaseisprimarilyduetoareductioninrecognizedEarnedCapitalContributionsassociatedwiththeamortizationofbuildingimprovementsoveralongerestimatedbuildinglifeandlowergrantsduetoannouncedbasegrantreductionsfortheyear.For2013-2014theProvinceannounceda7.3%reductioningrantsandatuitionfreeze.Thiswaspartiallyoffsetbythereceiptof$305kinone-timeprovincialfundingforenrollmentpressures,equivalentto2.6%anda$105kgranttooffsettheannouncedtuitionfreeze,whichwouldhavebeenequivalenttoa2.15%inflationaryincreaseundertheProvincialRegulations.Withaboutsixty-fivepercent(65%)ofACADfundingcomingfromgovernmentgrants,challengestomeetexpenditureincreasesoverthecomingyearswillcontinuetobeexpectedifgrantlevelsarenotimproved.
ThenumberofadmittedstudentstoFirstYearStudiesforthe2013/14academicyearwas300studentswithverylittlechangefrom2012/13.Thenumberofstudentswhowereadmittedwasfromapoolof614completedFirstYearStudiesapplicants,thehighestleveltheCollegehasexperiencedinrecentyears.Movingforward,theCollegewillfocusonincreasingthenumberofcompletedapplicantsto716by2016inanefforttoensurethebestpoolofadmittedstudentspossible.Thisstrategywillalsoincludeafocustoattractmoreinternationalapplicants,especiallyfromtheUS.
Management Discussion + AnalysisFINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2014
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StudenttuitionandotherfeesattheendofJune30,2014arereportedas$5,560kversus$5,908kforthesameperiodlastyearasstudentenrolmentremainedbelow2012/13levelsforextendedstudiesbyapproximately35FLEs.Feesarebelowbudgetedrevenueby$998kduetothedecreaseinenrolmentoverplannedincreasesbyalmost73FLEs,andthetimingofsomeprogramrevenuesforExtendedStudiesSpringcourseenrolment.AshiftofcreditcourseprogrammingbacktoExtendedStudiesbeginningin2012-2013didhelptomeetourbudgetedrevenuetargetsforExtendedStudiesin2013/14;however,overalllevelsareexpectedtoremainbelowprioryears.
EXPENSES BY OBJECT
Totalexpensesatyearendwere$20,565k,adecreaseof2.6%comparedto$21,117kduringthesameperiodlastyear.ThisdecreasewasprimarilyduetoadecreaseinMaterials,SuppliesandServices($49k),adecreaseinUtilities($103k),adecreaseinCostofgoodssold($20k)adecreaseinamortizationofcapitalassets($511k)adecreaseinMaintenanceandrepair($6k)adecreaseinSalariesandBenefits($12k)offsetbyanincreaseinScholarships,BursariesandAwards($147k).
TotalSalariesandbenefitcostsatyearendwere$14,046kcomparedto$14,038kforthesameperiodlastyearresultingfromcontractualincreasestoCollectiveBargainingagreementsandincreasedExtendedHealthcarebenefitcosts.Inadditiontogridstepchangesforstaffandfaculty,AUPErateincreasesaveraged2.75%.Exemptemployeerateincreasesaveraged2.5%andmanagementsalariesremainedunchanged.Facultysalaryratesalsoremainedunchangedasbargainingforthecurrentyearwaspostponedandthecurrentcontractremainedinplacefortheyear.Salariesandbenefitsremainedbelowbudgetoverallby3.8%primarilyduetovariouspositionvacanciesthroughouttheCollege.
Material,suppliesandservicesexpensesare$3,897kcomparedto$3,959kforthelastyear.ThisdecreasewasminimalandreflectedanumberoffavourablevariancesforservicesthroughouttheCollege(e.g.,communications,computingsupport,andcontractcostsforservices).
Utilitiesexpensesatyearendwere$1,080kcomparedto$1,181kforthesameperiodlastyearasaresultofalowerthananticipatedusagecomparedtotheprioryear.Utilitiesexpensesremainedlowerthan$1,269kbudgetedfortheperiodasaresultlowerthanbudgetedrateincreasesfortheyearfromSAIT.Maintenanceandrepaircostsdecreasedto$55kfortheperiodcomparedto$61kforthesameperiodlastyear.Repairsandmaintenanceareonlycompletedwhenrequiredandfewerpiecesofequipmentwereinneedofrepair.
Scholarships,bursariesandawardsexpensesatyearendwere$424kcomparedto$277kforthesameperiodlastyearasaresultofincreasedeffortsbytheStudentExperiencegrouptoissueawardsduringthisperiod.Scholarships,bursariesandawardsexpensesremainedlowerthan$444kbudgetedfortheyearresultingfromfewerShowOff!EntranceScholarshipawardsissuedandadelayinissuanceofcertainremainingawardsuntilyearend.
Amortizationexpensesfortheperioddecreasedto$700kfromtheprioryear$1,211kduetothechangetotheamortizationperiodfortheBuilding.ThefacilitylicenseprovidingtherighttousethebuildingwasfullyamortizedattheendoftheprioryearJune30.
EXPENSES BY FUNCTION
Instruction
Instructionexpensesatyearendwere$8,173kcomparedto$7,821kforthesameperiodlastyearasaresultoftheCollege’s
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focusonprogramdevelopmentandspecialprojects.Instructionexpensesremainedlowerthanbudgetedfortheperiodfromacombinedeffectofsalarysavingsfrompermanentpositionsnotbeingfilledoffsetbyincreasedsessionalreplacementsalaries.
Academic and student support
Academicandstudentsupportexpensesatyearendwere$4,693kcomparedto$5,493kforthesameperiodlastyearasacombinationofthepositionbudgetfortheCollegetechniciansbeingmovedtoinstructionfromtheacademicadministrationsupport($561k)andtheoverallreductionwithinGalleryAdministrationandsalarysavingsfromvacantpositionswithintheLibrary.Academicandstudentsupportexpensesalsoremainedlowerthanbudgetedfortheperiodresultingfromacombinedeffectofsalarysavingsfrompermanentpositionsandsavingsassociatedwithstudentsoftwarerequirements.
Facility operations and maintenance
Facilityoperationsandmaintenanceexpensesatyearendwere$2,738kcomparedto$3,275kforthesameperiodlastyearprimarilyduetoareductioninamortizationexpensesassociatedwiththebuildingimprovementsoveralongerestimatedbuildinglife.FacilityoperationsandmaintenanceexpensesalsoremainedlowerthanbudgetedfortheperiodasresultoflowerthanexpectedresultsforcostsforPowerandSteam($320k)andfromSodexoforcaretakingservices($115k).
Institutional support
Institutionalsupportexpensesatyearendwere$3,991kcomparedto$3,683kforthesameperiodlastyearasaresultofincreasedexpensesforengagementandcommunications,offsetbyoverallsavingswithinFinanceOperationsandcostsassociatedwithsomespecialprojectswithintheEngagementarea.Institutionalsupportexpenseswerehigherthanbudgetedfortheperiodasexpendituresforotherspecialandunbudgetedprojectstotaling$464kimpactingoperatingcostshadbeenfundedfromreservesanddeferredfundsduringtheyear.
Ancillary services
Ancillaryservicesexpensesatyearendwere$788kcomparedto$841kforthesameperiodlastyeardueprimarilytotheeliminationofFoodServicescontractsattheendoflastyear.AncillaryservicesexpenseswerehigherthanbudgetedfortheperioddueinparttotimingdifferencesforinventorysuppliespurchasesastheBookstorepreparedforwinterandspringsemesters.
Sponsored research
Sponsoredresearchexpensesatyearendwere$182kcomparedto$4kforthesameperiodlastyear.Sponsoredresearchexpenseswerehigherthanbudgetedfortheperiodasexpendituresforresearchprojectsusereservesanddeferredfundsthatarenotincludedinthegeneraloperatingbudget.
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Financial StatementsFOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2014
IndependentAuditor’sReport
StatementofFinancialPosition
StatementofOperations
StatementofCashFlows
StatementofRemeasurementGainsandLosses
NotestotheFinancialStatements
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Independent Auditor’s Report TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
IhaveauditedtheaccompanyingfinancialstatementsofAlbertaCollegeofArtandDesign,whichcomprisethestatementoffinancialpositionasatJune30,2014,andthestatementsofoperations,remeasurementgainsandlosses,andcashflowsfortheyearthenended,andasummaryofsignificantaccountingpoliciesandotherexplanatoryinformation.
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ManagementisresponsibleforthepreparationandfairpresentationofthesefinancialstatementsinaccordancewithCanadianpublicsectoraccountingstandards,andforsuchinternalcontrolasmanagementdeterminesisnecessarytoenablethepreparationoffinancialstatementsthatarefreefrommaterialmisstatement,whetherduetofraudorerror.
AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY
Myresponsibilityistoexpressanopiniononthesefinancialstatementsbasedonmyaudit.IconductedmyauditinaccordancewithCanadiangenerallyacceptedauditingstandards.ThosestandardsrequirethatIcomplywithethicalrequirementsandplanandperformtheaudittoobtainreasonableassuranceaboutwhetherthefinancialstatementsarefreefrommaterialmisstatement.
Anauditinvolvesperformingprocedurestoobtainauditevidenceabouttheamountsanddisclosuresinthefinancialstatements.Theproceduresselecteddependontheauditor’sjudgment,includingtheassessmentoftherisksofmaterialmisstatementofthefinancialstatements,whetherduetofraudorerror.Inmakingthoseriskassessments,theauditorconsidersinternalcontrolrelevanttotheentity’spreparationandfairpresentationofthefinancialstatementsinordertodesignauditproceduresthatareappropriateinthecircumstances,butnotforthepurposeofexpressinganopinionontheeffectivenessoftheentity’sinternalcontrol.Anauditalsoincludesevaluatingtheappropriatenessofaccountingpoliciesusedandthereasonablenessofaccountingestimatesmadebymanagement,aswellasevaluatingtheoverallpresentationofthefinancialstatements.
IbelievethattheauditevidenceIhaveobtainedissufficientandappropriatetoprovideabasisformyauditopinion.
OPINION
Inmyopinion,thefinancialstatementspresentfairly,inallmaterialrespects,thefinancialpositionofAlbertaCollegeofArtandDesignasatJune30,2014,andtheresultsofitsoperations,itsremeasurementgainsandlosses,anditscashflowsfortheyearthenendedinaccordancewithCanadianpublicsectoraccountingstandards.
[OriginalsignedbyMerwanN.Saher,FCA]
AuditorGeneralOctober29,2014Edmonton,Alberta
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ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONAsatJune30 (thousands of dollars) 2014 2013
ASSETS
Cashandcashequivalents(note3) $ 7,849 $ 8,707
Portfolioinvestments(note4) 7,858 6,701
Accountsreceivable(note6) 231 214
Inventoriesandprepaidexpenses 583 548
Tangiblecapitalassets(note7) 4,976 5,145
$ 21,497 $ 21,315
LIABILITIES
Accountspayableandaccruedliabilities $ 2,019 $ 1,987
Employeefuturebenefitliabilities(note8) 87 239
Debt(note9) 126 157
Deferredrevenue(note10) 10,119 9,649
12,351 12,032
NET ASSETS
Endowments(note11) 4,484 4,369
Accumulatedoperatingsurplus(note12) 4,655 4,914
Accumulatedremeasurementgainsandlosses 7 -
$ 21,497 $ 21,315
Contingentliabilitiesandcontractualobligations(note14and15)
The accompanying notes are part of the financial statements.
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONSFortheyearendedJune30 Budget2014 (thousands of dollars) (note20) 2014 2013
REVENUES
GovernmentofAlbertagrants $ 12,230 $ 12,944 $ 13,924
Federalandothergovernmentgrants 65 290 234
Studenttuitionandfees 6,558 5,560 5,908
Salesofservicesandproducts 902 871 878
Donationsandothercontributions 700 528 270
Investmentincome(note16) 120 113 119
20,575 20,306 21,333
EXPENSES
Instruction 8,773 8,173 7,821
Academicandstudentsupport 4,942 4,693 5,493
Institutionalsupport 3,190 3,991 3,683
Facilityoperationsandmaintenance 2,892 2,738 3,275
Ancillaryservices 767 788 841
Sponsoredresearch - 182 4
20,564 20,565 21,117
Operating(deficit)surplus 11 (259) 216
Accumulatedsurplusfromoperations,beginningofyear 4,914 4,914 4,698
Accumulatedsurplusfromoperations,endofyear $ 4,925 $ 4,655 $ 4,914
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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSFortheyearendedJune30,2014 (thousands of dollars) 2014 2013
OPERATING TRANSACTIONS
Operating(deficit)surplus $ (259) $ 216
Add(deduct)non-cashitems:
Amortizationoftangiblecapitalassets 700 1,211
Lossondisposaloftangiblecapitalassets 214 36
Expendedcapitalrecognizedasrevenue (625) (861)
Changeinemployeefuturebenefitliabilities (152) (138)
Totalnon-cashitems 137 248
(Increase)decreaseinaccountsreceivable (17) 48
(Increase)ininventoriesandprepaidexpenses (35) (30)
Increaseinaccountspayableandaccruedliabilities 32 476
Increase(decrease)indeferredrevenue 83 (210)
Cash provided by operating transactions (59) 748
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Acquisitionoftangiblecapitalassets (745) (1,274)
Cash applied to capital transactions (745) (1,274)
INVESTING TRANSACTIONS
Purchasesofportfolioinvestments,netofsales (138) (132)
Endowmentinvestmentearnings 30 27
Cash applied to investing transactions (108) (105)
FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
Endowmentcontributions 85 94
Debt–newfinancing(repayment) (31) 74
Cash provided by financing transactions 54 168
Decrease in Cash and Cash equivalents (858) (463)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year 8,707 9,170
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year (Note 3) $ 7,849 $ 8,707
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STATEMENT OF REMEASUREMENT GAINS AND LOSSESFortheyearendedJune30,2014(thousands of dollars) 2014 2013
Accumulatedremeasurementgains(losses)atbeginningofyear $ - $ -
Transitionaladjustmentsforadoptionoffinancialinstrumentsstandard - 17
Unrealizedgainsattributabletoforeignexchange 7 -
Amountsreclassifiedtostatementofoperations - (17)
Accumulated remeasurement gains at end of year $ 7 $ -
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1 . AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE
TheBoardofGovernorsoftheAlbertaCollegeofArtandDesignisacorporationwhichmanagesandoperatestheAlbertaCollegeofArtandDesign(“theCollege”)underthePost-Secondary Learning Act (Alberta).AllmembersoftheboardofgovernorsareappointedbyeithertheLieutenantGovernorinCouncilortheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducation,withtheexceptionofthePresident,whoisanex officio member.UnderthePost-Secondary Learning Act ,Campus Alberta Sector Regulation,theCollegeisaspecializedartsandcultureinstitutionmandatedtoofferfour-yearundergraduateandgraduatedegreesinvisualartanddesign.TheCollegeisaregisteredcharity,andundersection149oftheIncome Tax Act (Canada),isexemptfromthepaymentofincometax.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND REPORTING PRACTICES
a. General – Public Sector Accounting Standards and Use of EstimatesThesefinancialstatementshavebeenpreparedinaccordancewithCanadianpublicsectoraccountingstandards(PSAS).Themeasurementofcertainassetsandliabilitiesiscontingentuponfutureevents;therefore,thepreparationofthesefinancialstatementsrequirestheuseofestimates,whichmayvaryfromactualresults.TheCollege’smanagementusesjudgmenttodeterminesuchestimates.Amortizationoftangiblecapitalassetsandrestrictedexpendedcapitalrecognizedasrevenuearethemostsignificantitemsbasedonestimates.Inmanagement’sopinion,theresultingestimatesarewithinreasonablelimitsofmaterialityandareinaccordancewiththesignificantaccountingpoliciessummarizedbelow.Thesesignificantaccountingpoliciesarepresentedtoassistthereaderinevaluatingthesefinancialstatementsand,togetherwiththefollowingnotes,shouldbeconsideredanintegralpartofthefinancialstatements.
b. Non-use of Net Debt Model FormatCanadianpublicsectoraccountingstandardsrequireanetdebtpresentationforthestatementoffinancialpositioninthesummaryfinancialstatementsofgovernments.Netdebtpresentationreportsthedifferencebetweenfinancialassetsandfinancialliabilitiesasnetdebtornetfinancialassetsasanindicatoroffuturerevenuesrequiredtopayforpasttransactionsandevents.TheCollegeoperateswithinthegovernmentreportingentity,anddoesnotfinanceallitsexpendituresbyindependentlyraisingrevenues.Accordingly,thesefinancialstatementsdonotreportanetdebtindicator.
c. Valuation of Financial Assets and LiabilitiesTheCollege’sfinancialassetsandliabilitiesaregenerallyclassifiedandmeasuredasfollows:
Financial Statement Components Measurement
Cashandcashequivalents AmortizedCost
Portfolioinvestments FairValue
Accountsreceivable AmortizedCost
Accountspayableandaccruedliabilities AmortizedCost
Debt AmortizedCost
Unrealizedgainsandlossesfromchangesinthefairvalueofunrestrictedfinancialinstrumentsarerecognizedinthestatementofremeasurementgainsandlosses.Uponsettlement,thecumulativegainorlossisreclassifiedfromthestatementofremeasurementgainsandlossesandrecognizedinthestatementofoperations.
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Unrealizedgainsandlossesfromchangesinthefairvalueofrestrictedfinancialinstrumentsarerecognizedasaliabilityunderdeferredrevenue.
Allfinancialassetsaretestedannuallyforimpairment.Whenfinancialassetsareimpaired,impairmentlossesarerecordedinthestatementofoperations.Awrite-downofaportfolioinvestmenttoreflectalossinvalueisnotreversedforasubsequentincreaseinvalue.
Forfinancialinstrumentsmeasuredusingamortizedcost,theeffectiveinterestratemethodisusedtodetermineinterestrevenueorexpense.Transactioncostsareacomponentofcostforfinancialinstrumentsmeasuredusingcostoramortizedcost.Transactioncostsareexpensedforfinancialinstrumentsmeasuredatfairvalue.Investmentmanagementfeesareexpensedasincurred.
TheCollegedoesnotuseforeigncurrencyforwardcontractsoranyothertypeofderivativefinancialinstrumentsfortradingorspeculativepurposes.
Managementevaluatescontractualobligationsfortheexistenceofembeddedderivativesandelectstoeitherdesignatetheentirecontractforfairvaluemeasurementorseparatelymeasurethevalueofthederivativecomponentwhencharacteristicsofthederivativearenotcloselyrelatedtotheeconomiccharacteristicsandrisksofthecontractitself.Contractstobuyorsellnon-financialitemsfortheCollege’snormalpurchase,saleorusagerequirementsarenotrecognizedasfinancialassetsorfinancialliabilities.TheCollegedoesnothaveanyembeddedderivatives.
d. Revenue RecognitionAllrevenuesarereportedontheaccrualbasisofaccounting.Cashreceivedforwhichgoodsorserviceshavenotbeenprovidedbyyearendisrecordedasdeferredrevenue.
i. Government Grants, Non-government Grants and Donations
TheCollegerecognizesgovernmentgrants,donationsandothercontributionsasfollows:
Government transfers
Governmenttransfersarereferredtoasgovernmentgrants.
Governmenttransfersandtheassociatedexternallyrestrictedinvestmentincomearerecordedasdeferredrevenueifthetermsforuseofthetransfer,orthetermsalongwiththeCollege’sactionsandcommunicationsastotheuseofthetransfer,createaliability.Thesetransfersarerecognizedasrevenueasthetermsaremetand,whenapplicable,theCollegecomplieswithitscommunicateduseofthetransfer.
Governmenttransfers,withouttermsfortheuseofthetransfer,arerecordedasrevenuewhentheCollegeiseligibletoreceivethefunds.
Donations and Non-government contributions
Donationsandnon-governmentcontributionsarereceivedfromindividuals,corporations,andprivatesectornot-for-profitorganizations.Donationsandnon-governmentcontributionsmaybeunrestrictedorrestrictedforoperatingorcapitalpurposesorresearchpurposes.
Unrestricteddonationsandnon-governmentcontributionsarerecordedasrevenueintheyearreceivedorintheyearthefundsarecommittedtotheCollegeiftheamountcanbereasonablyestimatedandcollectionisreasonablyassured.
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Restricteddonations,non-governmentcontributions,realizedandunrealizedgainsandlossesfortheassociatedexternallyrestrictedinvestmentincome,arerecordedasdeferredrevenueifthetermsfortheiruse,orthetermsalongwiththeCollege’sactionsandcommunicationsastotheuse,createaliability.Theseresourcesarerecognizedasrevenueasthetermsaremetand,whenapplicable,theCollegecomplieswithitscommunicateduse.
Inkinddonationsofservicesandmaterialsarerecordedatfairvaluewhensuchvaluecanreasonablybedetermined.WhilevolunteerscontributeasignificantamountoftimeeachyeartoassisttheCollegethevalueoftheirservicesarenotrecognizedasrevenueandexpensesinthefinancialstatementsbecausefairvaluecannotbereasonablydetermined.
ii. Endowments
Donationsandnon-governmentcontributionsthatmustbemaintainedinperpetuityarerecognizedasadirectincreaseinendowmentnetassetswhenreceivedorreceivable.Realizedgainsandlossesattributabletoportfolioinvestmentsthatalsomustbemaintainedinperpetuityarealsorecognizedasadirectincreaseinendowmentnetassetswhenreceivedorreceivable.UnrealizedgainsandlossesarerecordedasDeferredrevenueuntilrealized.
iii. Investment Income
Investmentincomeincludesdividendandinterestincome,andrealizedgainsorlossesonthesaleofportfolioinvestments.Unrealizedgainsandlossesonportfolioinvestmentsthatarefromunrestrictedgrantsanddonationsarerecognizedinthestatementofaccumulatedremeasurementgainsandlossesuntilsettlement.Oncerealized,thesegainsorlossesarerecognizedasinvestmentincomeinthestatementofoperations.
Investmentincomefromrestrictedgrantsanddonationsisrecognizedasdeferredrevenuewhenthetermsforusecreatealiability,andisrecognizedasinvestmentincomewhentermsofthegrantordonationaremet.
e. InventoriesInventoriesheldforresalearevaluedatthelowerofcostandexpectednetrealizablevalueandaredeterminedusingtheFIFOmethod.Inventoriesheldforconsumptionarevaluedatcost.
f. Tangible Capital AssetsTangiblecapitalassetsarerecordedatcost,whichincludesamountsthataredirectlyrelatedtotheacquisition,design,construction,development,improvementorbettermentoftheassets.Costincludesoverheaddirectlyattributabletoconstructionanddevelopment,aswellasinterestcoststhataredirectlyattributabletotheacquisitionorconstructionoftheasset.
Workinprogress,whichincludesfacilitiesandimprovementprojectsanddevelopmentofinformationsystems,isnotamortizeduntilaftertheprojectiscompleteandtheassetisinservice.
Capitalleaseobligationsarerecordedatthepresentvalueoffutureminimumleasepaymentsattheinceptionofthelease.Leasedequipmentisreflectedasanassetandaliabilityinthestatementsoffinancialposition.Thediscountrateusedtodeterminethepresentvalueoftheleasepaymentsistheinterestrateimplicitinthelease.
Thecost,lessresidualvalue,ofthetangiblecapitalassets,excludingland,isamortizedonastraight-linebasisovertheestimatedusefullivesasfollows:
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Facilitylicense 27years(endedJune30,2013)
Buildingimprovements remaininglifeofthebuilding(16years)
Furnishingsandequipment 5years
Computerhardwareandsoftware 3–5years
TangiblecapitalassetsarewrittendownwhenconditionsindicatethattheynolongercontributetotheCollege’sabilitytoprovidegoodsandservices,orwhenthevalueoffutureeconomicbenefitsassociatedwiththetangiblecapitalassetsarelessthantheirnetbookvalue.Thenetwrite-downsareaccountedforasexpensesinthestatementofoperations.
Assetsundercapitalleaseareamortizedonabasisthatisconsistentwiththeaboveforpurchasedassets.
Contributedcapitalassetsarerecordedasrevenuesattheirfairmarketvalueonthedateofdonation,exceptincircumstanceswherefairvaluecannotbereasonablydetermined,whicharethenrecognizedatnominalvalue.Transfersofcapitalassetsfromrelatedpartiesarerecordedatthecarryingvalue.
Worksofart,historicaltreasuresandcollectionsareexpensedwhenacquiredandnotrecognizedastangiblecapitalassets.
g. Foreign Currency TranslationFinancialassetsandliabilitiesrecordedinforeigncurrenciesaretranslatedtoCanadiandollarsattheyearendexchangerate.ForeigncurrencytransactionsaretranslatedintoCanadiandollarsbyapplyingtheexchangerateineffectatthedateofthetransaction.Unrealizedgainsandlossesarerecognizedinthestatementofaccumulatedremeasurementgainsandlosses.
h. Employee Future BenefitsPension
TheCollegeparticipateswithotheremployersintheLocalAuthoritiesPensionPlan(LAPP).Thispensionplanisamulti-employerdefinedbenefitpensionplanthatprovidespensionsfortheCollege’sparticipatingemployeesbasedonyearsofserviceandearnings.
TheCollegedoesnothavesufficientplaninformationontheLAPPtofollowthestandardsfordefinedbenefitaccounting,andthereforefollowsthestandardsfordefinedcontributionaccounting.Accordingly,pensionexpenserecordedfortheLAPPiscomprisedofemployercontributionstotheplanthatarerequiredforitsemployeesduringtheyear;whicharecalculatedbasedonactuariallypre-determinedamountsthatareexpectedtoprovidetheplan’sfuturebenefits.
Long-term disability
TheCollegepaysorsharesthepremiumsforcertainbenefitsforemployeesonlongtermdisability.Thecostofprovidingnon-vestingandnon-accumulatingemployeefuturebenefitsforcompensatedabsencesundertheCollege’slong-termdisabilityplansischargedtoexpenseinfullwhentheeventoccurswhichobligatestheCollegetoprovidethebenefits.ThecostofthesebenefitsisdeterminedusingthepresentvalueoftheestimatedcostofthesepremiumsandarerecordedatthetimetheCollegebecomesobligatedundertheplan.ComparativeamountsfortheliabilityassociatedwithemployeesonlongtermdisabilitycontinuetobepresentedintheStatementofFinancialPositionasEmployeefuturebenefitliabilities.
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Early Retirement Assistance and Incentive Program
FromtimetotimeandatthediscretionoftheCollege,theCollegeoffersanearlyretirementassistanceprogramforeligibleemployeeswhochoosetoretirebeforeage65.Participationinthisprogramisvoluntary.EarlyretirementbenefitsareapprovedbythePresident+CEOandcalculatedusingapercentageofaneligibleemployee’ssalaryandthenumberofcontinuousyearsofservice.Thesebenefitsaredisclosedaspartofthesalariesandbenefitsandarechargedtoexpenseinfullwhenapproved.ThelastprogramofferingoccurredinMay2012.
Other Employee Benefit Plans
TheCollegealsoprovidesemployeefuturebenefitsintheformofcompensatedabsencesforsabbaticals.ThecostofprovidingemployeefuturebenefitsforcompensatedabsencesundertheCollege’ssabbaticalplanischargedtoexpenseinfullwhentheeventoccurswhichobligatestheCollegetoprovidethebenefits.Thesebenefitsaredisclosedaspartofthesalariesandbenefits.
i. Funds and ReservesCertainamounts,asapprovedbytheBoardofGovernors,aresetasideinaccumulatedsurplusforfutureoperatingandcapitalpurposes.Transfersto/fromfundsandreservesareanadjustmenttotherespectivefundwhenapproved.
3. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 2014 2013
Cashandcashequivalents,endofyear $ 7,849 $ 8,707
Cashandcashequivalentsincludeshortterminvestmentswithashortmaturitylessthanthreemonthsfromthedateofacquisition.
4. PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
Thecomposition,fairvalue,andannualmarketyieldsonportfolioinvestmentsareasfollows:
2014
Level1 Level2 Level3 Total
InvestmentsatFairValue:
Portfoliomanagedfixedincome $ - $ 2,889 $ - $ 2,889
Portfoliomanagedequity - 4,969 - 4,969
$ - $ 7,858 $ - $ 7,858
2013
Level1 Level2 Level3 Total
InvestmentsatFairValue:
Portfoliomanagedfixedincome $ - $ 2,785 $ - $ 2,785
Portfoliomanagedequity - 3,916 - 3,916
$ - $ 6,701 $ - $ 6,701
Level1–Quotedpricesinactivemarketsforidenticalassetsorliabilities.
Level2–Market-basedinputsotherthanquotedpricesthatareobservablefortheassetorliabilityeitherdirectlyorindirectly.
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Level3–Inputsfortheassetorliabilitythatarenotbasedonobservablemarketdata;assumptionsarebasedonthebestinternalandexternalinformationavailableandaremostsuitableandappropriatebasedonthetypeoffinancialinstrumentbeingvaluedinordertoestablishwhatthetransactionpricewouldhavebeenonthemeasurementdateinanarm’slengthtransaction.
Thefollowingtablereconcilesthechangesinfairvalueoflevel2investments:
2014 2013
Netunrealizedgains,beginningofyear $ 712 $ 120
Unrealizedgainsattributabletoportfolioinvestments 1,019 592
Netunrealizedgains,endofyear $ 1,731 $ 712
TheCollegehaspoliciesandproceduresinplacegoverningassetmix,diversification,exposurelimits,creditqualityandperformancemeasurement.TheCollege’sFinanceandAuditCommittee,asubcommitteeoftheBoardofGovernors,hasdelegatedauthorityforoversightoftheCollege’sinvestmentsunderapolicyoftheBoard.TheFinanceandAuditCommitteemonitorsinvestmentmanagerperformance,toensurecompliancewiththeCollege’sinvestmentguidelines,andtoevaluatethecontinuedappropriatenessoftheCollege’sinvestmentguidelines.
Undertheinvestmentpolicy,theprimeobjectivesoftheinvestmentfundaretogenerateincomeandtopreservethepurchasingpowerofdonatedcapital,andtogenerategrowthinthecapitalvalueoftheCollege’sinvestmentfunds.
Theprimeconstraintsthatguidetheinvestmentpracticeareriskaversionandliquidity.
5. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
TheCollegeisexposedtoavarietyoffinancialrisks,includingmarketrisks(pricerisk,currencyriskandinterestraterisk),creditrisk,andliquidityrisk.Tomanagetheserisks,theCollegeinvestsinadiversifiedportfolioofinvestmentsthatisguidedbyestablishedinvestmentpoliciesthatoutlineriskandreturnobjectives.ThelongtermobjectiveoftheCollege’sinvestmentpoliciesistoachievealongtermrealrateofreturninexcessoffeesandexpensesandmaintaintherealvalueofthefund.
TheCollegeisexposedtothefollowingrisks:
Market RiskTheCollegeisexposedtomarketrisk-theriskthatthevalueofafinancialinstrumentwillfluctuateasaresultofchangesinmarketprices,whetherthosechangesarecausedbyfactorsspecifictotheindividualsecurity,itsissuerorgeneralmarketfactorsaffectingallsecurities.Tomanagethisrisk,theCollegehasestablishedaninvestmentpolicywithatargetassetmixthatisdiversifiedbyassetclassdesignedtoachievetheoptimalreturnswithanacceptablelevelofrisk.
ThefollowingdetailstheCollege’sportfoliosensitivitytoa3.42%increaseordecreaseinthemarketprices.Thesensitivityrateisdeterminedusingthehistoricalstandarddeviationforthetotalfundbasedona4yearrollingperiodasdeterminedbytheinvestmentadvisor.AtJune30,2014,ifmarketpriceshada3.42%(2013:3.34%)increaseordecreasewithallothervariablesheldconstant,theincreaseordecreaseinremeasurementgainsandlosses,deferredrevenue,andendowmentnetassets–externallyrestrictedcontributionsfortheyearwouldhavebeenatotalof$59(2013:$24).
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Liquidity RiskTheCollegemaintainsinvestmentsthatmaynotbeimmediatelyliquid.ThisriskismanagedthroughtheCollege’sinvestmentguidelinesandotherinternalpolicies,guidelinesandprocedures.
Credit RiskTheCollegeisexposedtocreditriskoninvestmentsarisingfromthepotentialfailureofacounterparty,debtororissuertohonoritscontractualobligations.TomanagethisrisktheCollegehasestablishedaninvestmentpolicywithrequiredminimumcreditqualitystandardsandissuerlimits.Thecreditriskforaccountsreceivableisrelativelylowasthemajorityofbalancesareduefromgovernmentagenciesandcorporatesponsors.
Thecreditrisksoninvestmentsheldareasfollows:
2014 2013
Creditrating
AAA 39.6% 45.3%
AA 26.7% 23.9%
A 24.3% 25.5%
BBB 9.4% 5.3%
100.0% 100.0%
Interest Rate RiskInterestrateriskistherisktotheCollege’searningsthatarisefromthefluctuationsininterestratesandthedegreeofvolatilityoftheserates.Theriskismanagedbyvariousbankingarrangementsandotherinternalpolicies,guidelinesandprocedures.
Thematurityofinterestbearinginvestmentsisasfollows:
Lessthan1Year 1to5years Greaterthan Averageeffective 5years marketyield (%)
Cash 4,842
Cashequivalents 3,007 0.87
Portfolioinvestments,fixedincome 363 969 1,557 2.40
Commodity Price RiskTheCollegeisexposedtocommoditypriceriskasaresultofelectricityandnaturalgasusagerequiredtooperatetheCollege’sfacilities.TheCollegemanagestheserisksbymonitoringpricesandrespondinginaccordancewithinternalpolicies,guidelinesandprocedures.
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6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 2014 2013
Accountsreceivable $ 231 $ 215
Lessprovisionfordoubtfulaccounts - (1)
$ 231 $ 214
7. TANGIBLE CAPITAL ASSETS 2014
Facility Building Furnishing, Computer license(1) improvements equipment(3) hardware, software(2) Total
COST
Beginningofyear $ 12,207 $ 8,176 $ 2,683 $ 2,228 $ 25,294
Acquisitions(4) - 464 161 120 745
Disposals,includingwrite-downs - (3,028) (156) (115) (3,299)
$ 12,207 $ 5,612 $ 2,688 $ 2,233 $ 22,740
ACCUMULATEDAMORTIZATION
Beginningofyear $ 12,207 $ 4,098 $ 1,956 $ 1,889 $ 20,149
Amortizationexpense - 281 244 175 700
Effectsondisposals,includingwrite-down - (2,814) (157) (115) (3,085)
$ 12,207 $ 1,565 $ 2,043 $ 1,949 $ 17,764
NetbookvalueatendofyearJune30,2014 $ - $ 4,047 $ 645 $ 284 $ 4,976
NetbookvalueatJune30,2013 $ - $ 4,079 $ 727 $ 339 $ 5,145
NointerestiscapitalizedbytheCollegetocapitalassets.
(1)ThelandandbuildingswhichhousetheCollegeareownedbySAITandareoccupiedbytheCollegeunderafacilitylicensegrantedbySAIT.ThetermofthelicenseisthrougharenewablecontractualagreementbetweentheCollegeandSAITdeterminedatthepleasureoftheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducation.Thefacilitylicenseprovidingtherighttousethebuildingwasrecordedasanassetatfairvalueatthetimethelicensewasgranted.Fairvaluewasestimatedasthebuilding’samortizedreplacementcostbasedonanindependentappraisalasatApril1982andhasbeenfullyamortized.
(2)Includedincomputerhardware,software$2(2013:$0)recordedasworkinprogress,whichisnotamortizedastheassetsarenotyetavailableforuse.
(3)Includedinfurnishings,equipmentareassetsundercapitalleasesthathaveacostof$125(2013:$160)andaccumulatedamortizationof$35(2013:$155).
(4)Acquisitionsduringtheyearincludein-kindcontributionsintheamountof$4(2013:$5).
TheCollegeholdsalargenumberofcontemporaryworksofartincludingpaintings,sculptures,drawings,photographs,printsandothercraftmedia.Duetothesubjectivenatureofthevalueoftheseassets,thevaluesarenotreportedinthisnote.
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8. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFIT LIABILITIES
Employeefuturebenefitliabilitiesarecomprisedofthefollowing:
2014 2013
Earlyretirement $ 63 $ 202
Long-termdisability 24 37
$ 87 $ 239
a. Defined benefit plan accounted for on a defined contribution basisMulti-Employer Pension Plans Local Authority Pension Plan (LAPP)
TheLocalAuthorityPensionPlan(LAPP)isamulti-employercontributorydefinedbenefitpensionplanforsupportstaffmembersandisaccountedforonadefinedcontributionbasis.AtDecember31,2013,theLAPPreportedanactuarialdeficiencyof$4,861,516(2012:$4,977,303deficiency).AnactuarialvaluationoftheLAPPwascarriedoutasatDecember31,2012andwasthenextrapolatedtoDecember31,2013.Thepensionexpenserecordedinthesefinancialstatementsis$978(2013:$954).Otherthantherequirementtomakeadditionalcontributions,theCollegedoesnotbearanyriskrelatedtotheLAPPdeficiency.
Early Retirement Assistance and Incentive Program
LiabilitiesforfutureearlyretirementbenefitsapprovedbythePresident+CEOoftheCollegearerecordedbytheCollegeintheyeartheapplicationisapproved.Theremainingliabilityrecordedinthesestatementsis$62(2013:$202).
b. Defined ContributionLong-term disability
TheCollegeprovidescertainextendedhealthbenefitstoemployeesleavingtheemploymentoftheCollegeunderspecificconditions.LiabilitiesforfuturebenefitpaymentsrecordedbytheCollegeintheyeartheapplicationisapproved.Theremainingliabilityrecordedinthesefinancialstatementsis$24(2013:$37).
9. DEBT
TheCollegehasobligationsundercapitalleaseagreementsfortheleaseofcertaincopierandprintingequipment.Thefollowingoutstandingamountsrelatetotheseobligations:
2014 2013
Obligationsundercapitalleases $ 126 $ 157
Interestexpenseontheselong-termobligationsis$10(2013:$17)andisincludedintheStatementofOperations.
Principalrepaymentsinthenextfiveyearsareasfollows:
Long-term Leases
2015 $ 32
2016 32
2017 32
2018 30
2019 -
$ 126
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10. DEFERRED REVENUE
Deferredrevenueissetasideforspecificpurposesasrequiredeitherbylegislation,regulationoragreement:
2014
Restricted Unrestricted
Deferred Unspent Spent Tuition researchand capital capital andother specialpurpose contributions contributions fees Total
Balance,beginningofyear $ 3,968 $ 1,165 $ 4,480 $ 36 $ 9,649
Grants,tuition,donationsreceived 172 365 - 5,162 6,376
Investmentincome(note16) 109 3 - - 112
Unearnedcapitalacquisitiontransfers - (522) 522 - -
Recognizedasrevenue (536) - (625) (4,884) (6,722)
Unrealizedgainsoninvestments 1,019 - - - 1,019
Scholarships,bursariesissued (179) - - - (179)
Other 40 (176) - - (136)
Balance,endofyear $ 4,593 $ 835 $ 4,377 $ 314 $ 10,119
2013
Restricted Unrestricted
Deferred Unspent Spent Tuition researchand capital capital andother specialpurpose contributions contributions fees Total
Balance,beginningofyear $ 3,681 $ 1,733 $ 4,516 $ 198 $ 10,128
Grants,tuition,donationsreceived 391 274 - 5,073 5,738
Investmentincome(note16) 99 - - - 99
Unearnedcapitalacquisitiontransfers - (825) 825 - -
Recognizedasrevenue (556) - (861) (5,235) (6,652)
Unrealizedgainsoninvestments 592 - - - 592
Scholarships,bursariesissued (220) - - - (220)
Other (19) (17) - - (36)
Balance,endofyear $ 3,968 $1,165 $ 4,480 $ 36 $ 9,649
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11 . ENDOWMENTS
EndowmentsconsistofexternallyrestricteddonationsreceivedbytheCollegeandinternalallocationsbytheCollege’sBoardofGovernors,theprincipalofwhichisrequiredtobemaintainedintactinperpetuity.
InvestmentincomeearnedonendowmentsmustbeusedinaccordancewiththevariouspurposesestablishedbythedonorsortheBoardofGovernors.BenefactorsaswellasCollegepolicystipulatestheeconomicvalueoftheendowmentsmustbeprotectedbylimitingtheamountofincomethatmaybeexpendedandthereinvestingofunexpendedincome.
UnderthePost-Secondary Learning Act,theCollegehastheauthoritytoalterthetermsandconditionsofendowmentstoenable:
•incomeearnedbytheendowmenttobewithheldfromdistributiontoavoidfluctuationsintheamountsdistributedandgenerallytoregulatethedistributionofincomeearnedbytheendowment.
•encroachmentonthecapitaloftheendowmenttoavoidfluctuationsintheamountsdistributedandgenerallytoregulatethedistributionofincomeearnedbytheendowmentif,intheopinionoftheBoardofGovernors,theencroachmentbenefitstheCollegeanddoesnotimpairthelong-termvalueofthefund.
Twentyfivepercent(25%)oftheinvestmentincomeearnedonendowmentsisre-investedalongwiththeprincipaldonation(“Principal”).Theremainingseventyfivepercent(75%)isheldtofundscholarshipawards(“Expendable”).During2013-2014asmallnumberofindividualexpendablefundswereinsufficienttocoverthescholarshipaward.InthesecasestheCollegeallocateddeferredAccesstotheFutureFundsforScholarshipstofundtheshortfall.TheCollegedoesnotdrawagainsttheprincipaloftheendowmenttofundstudentawards.
Thecompositionofendowmentsisasfollows:
2014 2013
Balance,beginningofyear $ 4,369 $ 4,248
Endowmentcontributions 85 94
Capitalizedinterest(note16) 30 27
Balance,endofyear $ 4,484 $ 4,369
Cumulativecontributions $ 3,660 $ 3,575
Cumulativecapitalizedincome 824 794
$ 4,484 $ 4,369
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12. ACCUMULATED OPERATING SURPLUS
Thefundsandreservesareestablishedtoshowabreakdownofaccumulatedoperatingsurplus.Thecompositionofaccumulatedsurplusisasfollows:
2014 2013
Unrestrictedsurplusfromoperations $ 2,189 $ 2,549
Internallyrestrictedsurplus(note13) 1,992 1,856
Investmentintangiblecapitalassets 474 509
Accumulatedoperatingsurplus $ 4,655 $ 4,914
Thechangesduringtheyearareasfollows:
2014 2013
Investment in tangible capital assets, beginning of year $ 509 $ 530
Acquisitionoftangiblecapitalassets 223 290
Amortizationofinvestmentintangiblecapitalassets (258) (311)
Netchangeininvestmentintangiblecapitalassets (35) (21)
Investmentintangiblecapitalassets,endofyear $ 474 $ 509
Unrestricted surplus from operations, beginning of year $ 2,549 $ 1,994
Operating(deficit)surplus (259) 216
Transfers(to)frominternallyrestrictedsurplus (136) 318
Netchangeininvestmentincapitalassets 35 21
Netchangeinaccumulatedoperatingsurplus (360) 555
Unrestrictedsurplusfromoperations,endofyear $ 2,189 $ 2,549
InvestmentintangiblecapitalassetsrepresentstheamountoftheCollege’saccumulatedsurplusthathasbeeninvestedintheCollege’scapitalassets.(Seenote13fordetailedchangesininternallyrestrictedsurplus.)
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13. INTERNALLY RESTRICTED SURPLUS
InternallyrestrictedsurplusrepresentamountssetasidebytheCollege’sBoardofGovernorsforspecificpurposes.ThoseamountsarenotavailableforotherpurposeswithouttheapprovaloftheBoardanddonothaveinterestallocatedtothem.Internallyrestrictednetassetswithsignificantbalancesinclude:
Balanceat Appropriations Disbursements Balanceat beginning fromunrestricted during end ofyear netassets theyear ofyear
Appropriationforcapitalactivities:
EquipmentRenewalPlan $ 71 $ - $ - $ 71
Heating,Ventilation/AirConditioning 117 - - 117
WirelessFacilityInfrastructure 39 - - 39
HealthandSafetyProgram 206 (100) - 106
Equipment&Technology 234 - (7) 227
PresidentExcellence 19 - - 19
CapitalProjectsInitiatives 101 - (21) 80
787 (100) (28) 659
Appropriationforoperatingactivities:
Marketing,recruitmentandpromotion 44 - (33) 11
Utilities 90 - - 90
Accreditation 29 - - 29
Health&SafetyProgram - 100 (46) 54
Planning&FacilityPlanning 10 - - 10
CentrefortheCreativeProcess 50 - - 50
HumanResourceInfrastructure 211 - (108) 103
Equipment&Technology 113 - (25) 88
Awards 100 - - 100
AdministrativeOfficeRenovations 8 - - 8
Planning 100 - (29) 71
PresidentExcellence 53 - (9) 44
OperatingSupportInitiatives 186 - (26) 160
PlanningSupportInitiatives 75 - (8) 67
RevenueGenerationTargets - 100 - 100
FinanceAuditSupport2013-2014 - 100 (79) 21
CTSAuditSupport2013-2014 - 100 (73) 27
SustainabilityPlanning2013-2014 - 300 - 300
1,069 700 (436) 1,333
Total $ 1,856 $ 600 $ (464) $ 1,992
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14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
TheCollegeandtheAlbertaCollegeofArtandDesignFacultyAssociationhaveenteredintodiscussionsregardingpaidvacationentitlementissuesandlegalobligationsassociatedwithsame.Itisprematuretoassessthelikelyoutcomeatthistimeandtheliabilityoftheseproceedingscannotbereasonablyestimatedatthistime.AdministrationhasconcludedthisclaimdoesnotmeetthecriteriaforbeingrecordedunderPSAS.
15. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
TheCollegehascontractualobligationswhicharecommitmentsthatwillbecomeliabilitiesinthefuturewhenthetermsofthecontractsoragreementsaremet.Theestimatedaggregateamountpayablefortheunexpiredtermsofthesecontractualobligationsareasfollows:
Information Service systemsand Long-term contracts technology leases Total
2015 $ 548 $ 349 $ 32 $ 929
2016 444 270 32 746
2017 358 - 32 390
2018 - - 30 30
2019 - - - -
Thereafter - - - -
$ 1,350 $ 619 $ 126 $ 2,095
16. INVESTMENT INCOME 2014 2013
Incomeoninvestmentsheldforendowments $ 142 $ 126
Incomeonotherinvestments 113 119
255 245
Transferredtoendowments(note11) (30) (27)
Transferredtodeferredrevenue(note10) (112) (99)
Investmentincome $ 113 $ 119
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17. EXPENSE BY OBJECT
Thefollowingisasummaryofexpensebyobject:
2014 2013 Budget (note20) Actual Actual
Employeesalariesandbenefits $ 14,493 $ 14,046 $ 14,038
Materials,suppliesandservices 3,180 3,897 3,959
Scholarshipsandbursaries 444 424 277
Maintenanceandrepairs 103 55 61
Utilities 1,269 1,080 1,181
Costofgoodssold 353 363 390
Amortizationoftangiblecapitalassets 722 700 1,211
$ 20,564 $ 20,565 $ 21,117
18. SALARY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
UndertheauthorityoftheFiscal Management Act,thePresidentofTreasuryBoardandMinisterofFinancerequiresthedisclosureofcertainsalaryandemployeebenefitsinformation.
2014 2013 Base Other Other salary(1) cash non-cash benefits(2) benefits(3) Total Total
Governance (4)
MembersoftheBoardofGovernors $ 1 $ - $ - $ 1 $ -
Executive
PresidentandCEO 242 - 45 287 300
Vice-Presidents:
ProvostandVicePresident ResearchandAcademic 173 - 35 208 205
Vice-PresidentFinance andCorporateServices 143 20 13 176 177
Vice-PresidentEngagement 150 - 9 159 155
Vice-PresidentStudent ExperienceandAdmissions 120 - 24 144 153
(1)Basesalaryincludespensionablebasepay.
(2)Othercashbenefitsincludeearningssuchasvacationpayouts,bonuses,andcashpaymentsinlieuofpensioncontributions.
(3)Othernon-cashbenefitsincludetheCollege’sshareofallemployeebenefitsandcontributionsorpaymentsmadeonbehalfofemployeesincludingpension,grouplifeinsurance,employeefamilyassistanceprogram,criticalillness,supplementaryhealthcare,shortandlong-termdisabilityplans,dentalplan,accidentaldisability,anddismemberment.Benefitsforsomeoftheexecutivealsoincludevehicleallowanceandprofessionalmemberships.
(4)TheChairandMembersoftheBoardofGovernors,otherthanthestudentrepresentative,receivenoremunerationforparticipationontheBoard.
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19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
Province of AlbertaTheCollegeoperatesundertheauthorityandstatutesoftheProvinceofAlberta.TransactionsandbalancesbetweentheCollegeandtheGovernmentofAlberta(GOA)aremeasuredattheexchangeamountandsummarizedbelow.
2014 2013
GrantsfromGovernmentofAlberta
InnovationandAdvancedEducation:
Operating:
Operatingbase $ 11,925 $ 12,644
Enrollmentgrowth - -
Highspeedinternet 6 6
Disability 107 107
Other - 1
Capital:
Capitalbase - -
Infrastructuremaintenance 356 274
Disabledstudents - -
Other 35 68
TotalInnovationandAdvancedEducation 12,429 13,100
Lessdeferredrevenue (52) (29)
Addrestrictedexpendedcapitalrecognizedasrevenue 567 853
$ 12,944 $ 13,924
Southern Alberta Institute of TechnologyThelandandbuildingswhichhousetheCollegeareownedbySAITandareoccupiedbytheCollegeunderafacilitylicensegrantedbytheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducation.TheCollegeandSAITarepartiestoaletterofagreementfortheprovisionofutilities,maintenanceandsystemssupport.AmountspaidorpayabletoSAITin2014forthesepurposestotaled$1,755(2013:$1,886).
TheCollegereceivedgrantsof$365(2013:$274)fromtheprovincethataredesignatedforthemaintenanceandupgradeofthebuildingoccupiedbytheCollege.
AdditionaltransactionswithSAITincluded$13paid(2013:$9)relatingtomiscellaneousroomrentalsandinstructionalservices.Thesetransactionswereenteredintoonthesamebusinesstermsaswithnon-relatedpartiesandarerecordedatfairvalue.
Bow Valley CollegeTheCollegeandBowValleyCollegecollaborateinofferingArtstream,abasefundedprogramwhichprovidesacademicupgradingandfoundationartcoursestostudentsinpreparationforentryintotheCollege’sdegreeprograms.AccountsreceivedorreceivablefromBowValleyCollegein2014forthesepurposestotaled$85(2013:$46).Theseamounts
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representthecostoftuitionandprocessingfees,plusfeesfortheCityofCalgaryUniversalTransitPass,SAITcampusaccess,StudentAssociationandstudentnetworkaccessonastudentbystudentbasis.
Southern Alberta Jubilee AuditoriumTheCollegeandtheSouthernAlbertaJubileeAuditoriumjointlymaintaincommonuseareasofthebuilding.TheCollegeandtheSouthernAlbertaJubileearepartiestoacostsharingagreementfortheprovisionofmaintenanceservicesforthesecommonuseareas.AmountsreceivablefromtheJubileein2014forthesepurposestotaled$6(2013:$7).
Advancing FuturesAdvancingFuturesisaGovernmentofAlbertapost-secondarybursaryprogramthatprovidesfundingandsupporttoyouthinachievingtheireducationalgoals.AdvancingFuturesisrelatedtotheCollegesincetheyarearelatedpartytotheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducation.Amountsreceivedin2014were$13(2013:$16).
Alberta Association in Higher Education for Information TechnologyAAHEITisanAlbertanot-for-profitsocietyconsistingofaconsortiumofcolleges,universitiesandtechnicalinstitutesinAlberta.AAHEITisrelatedtotheCollegesincethemembersoftheconsortiumareallrelatedpartiestotheCollege.TheCollege,throughAAHEIT,collaborateswithothermemberinstitutionsregardinginformationandcommunicationstechnologyforeducationinAlberta.Amountspaidin2014forgroupprogramfeestotaled$1(2013:$4).
Alberta Post-Secondary Application SystemAPASisanAlbertanot-for-profitsocietyconsistingofaconsortiumofcolleges,universitiesandtechnicalinstitutesinAlberta.APASisrelatedtotheCollegesincethemembersofthesocietyareallrelatedpartiestotheCollege.APASoperatesApplyAlberta,asecureonlineapplicationsystemsimplifyingandspeedingtheapplicationprocessforstudentstoapplytomultipleAlbertapublicpost-secondaryinstitutions.Amountspaidin2014tosupporttheoperationofthesocietytotaled$12(2013:$11).
Alberta College of Art and Design Show Off ProgramACADoffershighschoolstudentstheopportunitytoshowcasetheirartworkinanannualjuriedexhibitionofthebestinartanddesigncreatedbyhighschoolstudentsinAlberta,TheNorthwestTerritoriesandNunavut.Highschoolsofawardedstudentsalsoreceiveawards.AlbertahighschoolsarerelatedtotheCollegesincetheyarearelatedpartytotheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducation.Totalcombinedawardsin2014were$11(2013:$10)tothefollowinghighschools:CentralMemorial,LordBeaverbrook,Olds,Strathcona,St.Joseph,andVictoriaSchooloftheArts.
Campus Alberta Quality Council SecretariatCAQCisanarms-lengthqualityassuranceagencythatmakesrecommendationstotheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducationonapplicationsfrompost-secondaryinstitutionswishingtooffernewdegreeprogramsinAlberta.CAQCisrelatedtotheCollegesincetheyarearelatedpartytotheMinisterofInnovationandAdvancedEducation.Amountspaidin2014relatingtothequalityreviewofnewprogramswere$1(2013:$8).Thesetransactionswereenteredintoonthesamebusinesstermsaswithnon-relatedpartiesandarerecordedatfairvalue.
dlee DesignsdleeDesignsisaprivatecompanywhollyownedbyDarleneLeewhoisanemployeeoftheCollege.Transactionswith
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dleeDesignsin2014were$8(2013:$0)paidfortestingservicesonaresearchproject.Thesetransactionswereenteredintoonthesamebusinesstermsaswithnon-relatedpartiesandarerecordedatfairvalue.
Craig FahnerCraigFahnerisrelatedtotheCollegesinceheisanemployeeoftheCollege.TransactionswithCraigFahnerin2014were$13(2013:$0)paidrelatingtoservicesprovidedonaresearchproject.Thesetransactionswereenteredintoonthesamebusinesstermsaswithnon-relatedpartiesandarerecordedatfairvalue.
G H Studio Inc.GHStudioInc.isaprivatecompanyengagedintheretailandwholesaleofartglass,suppliesandequipment.GHStudioInc.isrelatedtotheCollegesincetheownerofGHStudioInc.isanemployeeoftheCollegewithauthorityandresponsibilitieswithinaCollegeprogram.TransactionswithGHStudioInc.included$9paid(2013:$26)relatingtothepurchaseofkilnpartsandtherefurbishmentoftwoglasscastingkilns.Thesetransactionswereenteredintoonthesamebusinesstermsaswithnon-relatedpartiesandarerecordedatfairvalue.
Diana SherlockDianaSherlockisrelatedtotheCollegesincesheisanemployeeoftheCollege.TransactionswithDianaSherlockin2014were$10(2013:$1)paidrelatingtocuratorialservicesprovided.Thesetransactionswereenteredintoonthesamebusinesstermsaswithnon-relatedpartiesandarerecordedatfairvalue.
20. BUDGET FIGURES
BudgetedfigureshavebeenprovidedforcomparisonpurposesandhavebeenderivedfromtheCollege’sComprehensiveInstitutionalPlanasapprovedbytheBoardofGovernorsonMay30,2013.
21. CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING
ThefollowingdisclosureispreparedinaccordancewiththeCharitable Fundraising ActandCharitable Fundraising Regulation oftheProvinceofAlberta.
NoremunerationwaspaidtoafundraisingbusinesstosolicitdonationsonbehalfoftheCollege.Totalnon-personnelexpensesincurredforthepurposeofsolicitingcontributionswas$93(2013:$50),andremunerationpaidtoemployeesoftheCollegein2014,whoseprincipaldutiesinvolvefundraisingwas$80(2013:$111).
Grosscontributionsreceivedin2014were$528(2013:$270).
Detailsofcharitablefundsappliedtoprojects:
2014 2013
Awards,bursaries,andscholarships $ 431 $ 185
Capital,planningandoperatinginitiatives 97 85
$ 528 $ 270
22. APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedattheBoardofGovernorsmeetingonOctober29,2014.