For Immediate Release
Vancouver, CAN, December 1, 2011 – Emily Carr University of Art + Design hosts the 5th Annual ELIA (European League of Institutes of Art) Leadership Symposium, W/Here: Contesting Knowledge in the 21st Century from December 7 – 9, 2011. Educators and administrators from more than 20 countries including: Australia, China, the Netherlands, UK and US will gather for an important and timely discussion of the changing role of arts education today and share strategies for addressing the 21st century art and design university.
Art and design learning has been transformed, in large part as a result of the proliferation of digital cultures. For institutions, what is at stake is a shift in function of learning, where the skills developed are not based on the delivery of knowledge, but on the fostering of collaboration, networking, play and stimulation. In this context, the event will address important strategic challenges faced by cultural institutions in the midst of transition, with a particular focus on leadership, succession and new pedagogical perspectives.
“The opportunity for Emily Carr University to host this conference with ELIA is ideal. Our institution has always been at the forefront of evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and society,” said Dr. Ron Burnett, President and Vice Chancellor. “With a new campus on the horizon, the question of digital cultures, engagement and the transformation of learning will inform new classrooms and studios while breaking down the division between technology and the space of the classroom.”
W/Here will serve as a studio experience for leaders in the fields of higher arts education who are interested in understanding how to meet the challenges of the changing context of learning. A combination of presentations and facilitated discussions with artists, designers, musicians, educators, administrators and cultural workers with a commitment to the role of higher arts education will take place over three days. Select speakers include:
· Douglas Coupland, Writer, Artist, Designer, Cultural Commentator (and Emily Carr alumnus)
· Lawrence Butch Morris, Musician, Educator, Conductor
· Dylan Brown, Creative Director – Pixar Canada
· Claire Doherty, Curator, Educator – University of the West of England, Bristol
· Alexandra Samuel, Social Media Expert, Emily Carr University – SIM Centre
· Kevin Thompson, Director – Hong Kong Academy of Fine Art
· Chris Wainwright, Artist, Curator, Head of Colleges – University of the Arts London
· Meredith Davis, Designer, Academic Leader – North Carolina State University
· Nigel Carrington, Rector, University of the Arts London
The symposium will address the following key themes:
Have We Ever Been Modern: The Transformation of the Learning Space
Dispersed Learning: Knowledge and Expertise in Arts and Design
Open Source: Leading Through Access
Delegates will participate in mobile workshops taking place at various Vancouver cultural spaces, such as the Museum of Anthropology, W2 Community Media Centre, The Dance Centre and Progress Lab 1422 to experience how these themes manifest in the configurations of arts organizations today.
For a complete list of speakers, bios, full program go to elia.ecuad.ca.
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. Find out more at ecuad.ca.
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For more information contact:
Roxanne Toronto, Communications Officer
604-844-3075, roxanne@ecuad.ca
Barry Patterson, Executive Director, Communications
604-844-3078, bpatterson@ecuad.ca