ECU Celebrates a Century of Creative Impact
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Join us in Celebrating 100 Years in the Making!
On October 1, 2025, Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) marks 100 years and begins a yearlong centennial celebration, recognizing art, design and media in Vancouver, across Canada and around the world.
Founded in 1925 as the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts – the first art school in British Columbia – ECU has grown from a small local institution into Canada’s leading university dedicated to practice-based art and design education. For a century, the university has been guided by a bold vision: that creativity can change society, influence culture, and imagine new ways of living.
“For the past 100 years, ECU has fueled imagination and impact, influencing Vancouver’s creative sector and beyond,” says Dr. Trish Kelly, President + Vice-Chancellor of ECU. “Through our centennial celebrations, we get the chance to reflect on the amazing work of our students, staff, faculty and alumni in transforming industries, launching movements, and inspiring change throughout communities worldwide.”
ECU is a hub where makers, educators and cultural leaders come together and strive to make a difference in an ever-changing world – and our impact is visible in communities everywhere. Alumni can be found in every major Canadian city and across the globe, shaping cultural life and driving creative industries. Their work is present in the murals that brighten neighbourhoods, in films and animation that reach worldwide audiences, and in design solutions that reimagine how people live and work. From gaming to sustainable design to international exhibitions, ECU graduates consistently expand the reach of Canadian creativity.
ECU 100 celebrations will run from October 2025 to September 2026, with exhibitions, public programs, speaker series, alumni profiles, and community events anchoring the festivities. More than a commemoration, the centennial is an invitation to students, alumni, faculty, partners and the public to celebrate past achievements while asking together, what comes next?
“Art and design don’t just reflect the world, they shape it,” notes Kelly. “Our centennial is a chance to showcase that truth and to lay the foundation for ECU’s continued evolution.”
The next century begins now. Learn more about Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s centennial celebrations and join us at our events: