EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY MARKS 90 YEARS OF CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE, COMMUNITY + ECONOMY

Vancouver, CAN, September 8, 2015 | Today Emily Carr University of Art + Design launches the 2015-16 academic year and celebrates 90 years of teaching and learning excellence within the creative fields.

Since the first class of four students in 1925, Emily Carr University has evolved to become a globally recognized University. Each year Emily Carr launches the careers of approximately 400 graduates who become creative citizens of art, media, and design, practicing locally, nationally, and internationally.

To celebrate 90 years of creative excellence, Emily Carr will host a roster of special events and projects throughout the academic year around Vancouver and at our Granville Island campus.

Awards and Recognition:
Over the past 90 years Emily Carr has risen to become a globally recognized art and design University and has received prestigious awards and accolades in its field.

Most recently the University achieved a Canadian first by receiving the Red Dot Design award, placing Emily Carr within the top ten Design Universities in the Americas and Europe. This significantly ranks Emily Carr’s programs above respected competitive contemporaries, including London’s Royal College of Art and New York’s Pratt Institute.

In the spring of 2015, Emily Carr was recognized as the only Canadian art and design university in the QS University World rankings, in which it placed among the top 30 art and design schools in the world.

“Our DNA is steeped in advocacy, innovation, and change. Since 1925 our community of students, alumni, faculty and staff have contributed to the knowledge economy, transforming creativity into an infinite spectrum of possibilities,” said Dr. Ron Burnett, President + Vice Chancellor of Emily Carr University. “Much like our vanguard namesake, Emily Carr University is iconic, inspired by the Pacific Northwest, and profoundly committed to the rich indigenous cultures here.”

Recent International Alumni Achievements:
90 years of creative excellence are reflected by the achievements of our many alumni. They shape the creative landscape globally and are a significant part of this year's celebrations, with recent alumni accomplishments that include:

Janice Kerbel shortlisted for the 2015 Turner Prize
Jason DaSilva nominated for an Emmy award for his film “ When I Walk”
Geoffrey Farmer recognized with a solo, retrospective exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Douglas Coupland selected as Google Cultural Institute in Paris' first artist in residence

Celebrating 90 years with the community:
To mark 90 years of creative leadership and innovation Emily Carr will host several special events and projects which will be announced throughout the year on its new website:

• On October 1, Emily Carr's official birthday, the University will install new Chancellor, Mr. Geoff Plant, QC, with special guests including the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia. The University will host a Community Day in the Concourse Gallery for students, faculty, and staff to commemorate the occasion.
• On October 16, Emily Carr, together with Pecha Kucha, will present an Art + Design series at the Vogue Theatre.
• On October 17 + 18 Emily Carr will host an Alumni Art Market at the University showcasing works for sale by local alumni.
• On November 27, 28 + 29 the University will host a special 90th Anniversary edition of the not-to-be-missed Emily Carr Student Art Sale, attracting thousands of visitors to Granville Island.

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About Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Emily Carr University of Art + Design, established in 1925, is a world leader in education and research. Encouraging experimentation at the intersection of art, design, media and technology, our learning community merges research, critical theory and studio practice in an interdisciplinary environment. Alumni and faculty are internationally recognized as award-winning creators and thought leaders who have enormous impact on both the cultural sector and economy. We engage students, industry, and society to continuously explore and think differently about creativity and how it shapes our world. Emily Carr is building a state-of-the art campus for 21^st century learning at Great Northern Way. The University will be at the centre of a new social, cultural, educational, and economic engine for British Columbia. Find out more at ecuad.ca.

For additional information, contact:
Sue Lavitt, Media Relations + Communications Manager
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
slavitt@ecuad.ca | 604.844.3078