A rendering of the new Emily Carr University of Art and Design, by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
Our editors’ weekly roundup of Canadian art news.
Emily Carr University of Art and Design unveiled a new visual identity for the school on Tuesday. The changes, most notably to the school’s logo, come ahead of the institution’s move to a purpose-built, 285,000-square-foot building on Great Northern Way, which is slated to open September 2017. The visual rebrand was designed by creative agency Camp Pacific, whose previous clients include Money Mart and Destination BC. “Emily Carr University is setting out on a bold new future in a bold new building,” said the school’s president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Ron Burnett, in a press release. “The new identity we’re unveiling today expresses our current vitality and future aspirations, as our school ascends as one of the eminent educational institutions of art and design, not only in North America, but in the world.”
Plug In ICA in Winnipeg announced on Tuesday that the gallery has received $200,000 from the Canada Council for the Art’s New Chapter funding. The funds are allocated for “an ambitious public art project,” for which the gallery is planning to “invite artists to work throughout the city of Winnipeg to build sculptural stages,” with the plan that this first iteration will grow into a biennial public art exhibition. Numerous institutions across the country have also received New Chapter funds, including Grunt Gallery in Vancouver, Wreck City in Calgary, AXENÉO7 in Gatineau and 2 Rooms Contemporary Art Projects in St. John’s.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has gotten closer to making their planned expansion of the gallery a reality with three new large donations. Philanthropist and art collector Andrew Beckerman has pledged his personal art collection, which has a value of some $750,000, in addition to a $100,000 donation for the project. Beckerman challenged others to step forward and support the gallery, and two anonymous donations of $500,000 and $200,000 have recently been pledged. The anonymous pledges are contingent upon the gallery receiving funding from the provincial level in 2017.
Hamilton Artists Inc. has announced the recipients of its fifth annual Ignition Award, which is given to students of distinction graduating from McMaster University’s Studio Art Program. Kristina Durka, Stephanie Grant and Jonathan Mitchell have been selected for the award this year. The winners will participate in an exhibition on view at Hamilton Artists Inc. this month, in addition to receiving studio space for one year following graduation as part of the Hamilton Artists Inc. Cotton Factory Residency Program.
