Alberta has its first university dedicated to fine arts & design
The Alberta College of Art + Design just had a change in status and has been renamed.
As of February 1, the college’s new status and name will go into effect, operating as, the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) and will become Alberta’s first university dedicated to fine arts and design.
“This is a historic and most exciting moment for our 92-year-old post-secondary institution. We have been offering professional degrees in fine art, craft and design for decades, and this coming May, students set to graduate will now proudly convocate from Alberta University of the Arts,” said Alberta University of the Arts president and CEO, Daniel Doz.
Dating back to 2015 the college has received roughly $4.6 million in additional provincial funding, supporting operations and long term sustainability. This was part of the two per cent additional funding given to all public post-secondary institutions on a yearly basis through the Campus Alberta Grant. This past year the government gave $2.5 million to the university, to make sure students would have access to modern learning facilities.
“Creative minds have come to Calgary for nearly a century to launch international careers in graphic design, fashion and traditional media. By granting this iconic school university status, we’re cementing an already sterling global reputation. And by investing in AUArts, we’re ensuring it remains a destination for Alberta’s artists, designers and creative leaders,” said minister of advanced education, Marlin Schmidt.
This news comes during Alberta’s month of the artist. The province is the first in Canada to dedicate a full month to celebrating artists.
The university offers a variety of degree programs including a bachelor of fine arts, a bachelor of design at the undergraduate level and a master’s degree in fine arts.
Photo supplied: minister of advanced education, Marlin Schmidt and ACAD student association director of leadership and governance, Simone Saunders unveil the new name and logo for the Alberta University of the Arts.