Hi! My name is Willow Addiscott, I am running to be your first year ACADSA representative. Why should you vote for me? To start, as a fellow new student I can relate to you in many ways such as, I love art, ACAD is a new environment, there’s coffee in my blood, snacks are an essential, and homework… so much homework! But I am here to help you! I have seven years of leadership experience in schools, I spent a lot of time organizing, emceeing, and representing my fellow students. I know how frustrating it is when you want something to change but nobody seems to listen, my job is to make sure your concerns and feedback are heard. Vote for me and I promise you will always have a voice in the ACAD community.

I, Jessie Fraser, am campaigning for the role of Graduate Studies Representative for the 2018/2019 ACADSA Election. As a second-year student currently enrolled in the graduate program, and having also completed my undergrad at ACAD, my knowledge of the facility, it’s policies, culture, and student engagement are something I have experienced first-hand. I want to contribute to this culture more as the institution continues to grow under its newly acquired University status.

I promise to advocate on behalf of my fellow graduate students on issues and policy pertaining to their studies and engagement with the institution. In representing these various voices and needs I will grow the graduate program to international status and increase enrolments in our higher education programs. I will do this by bridging the gap between graduate and undergraduate studies, showcasing the benefits of hierarchal academia and pushing students to explore the possibilities that come from continued education. This branching comes as a benefit to the graduate program as it will increase the resources our students have available to them and create a unified network amongst our student body.

As a Calgary born artist, I hope to represent our facility as well as our city to those students who come to us from abroad. Having a hometown advantage allows me to show them how our institution presents itself within the community and to adapt to perfecting their practice in a foreign environment.

As a fourth-year design student I have come to love this school, through my work, friends, and teachers. I want to provide a voice for the family I have been so fortunate to be a part of. As an individual who has a love for leadership and is captivated by the stories of others I find myself in a position where I can not only do the things I love, but also be an advocate for my fellow students as well. I am a strong leader that strives to empathize inclusion and empathy, but also nurture and encourage others. When placed in difficult or chaotic positions I find myself in the lead and taking action by keeping organized and being a good problem solver. Always staying conscious of keeping a balance between being a good listener, having compassion and understanding, and strength.

I have several experiences of volunteer work throughout my life of leadership roles, whether through the SPCA & The Calgary Zoo, U of C Veterinary Club, The Sledge Hockey association of Calgary, as well as my role as Treasurer for the VCD NYC trip last year. Each role I have experience new people, new experiences, learning to adapt to each situation.

My Goals as the representative of the Graphic Design students would be to start the conversation. To create a strong trusting voice for our students. To create a relationship where the students do not feel intimidated by speaking their mind and have someone they can trust to be the advocate for those conversations. Communication on both ends is key to creating a better relationship, but to communicate there has to be a level of engagement, and this will be my first step to a hopeful fantastic year.

My choice to become the graphic design representative for ACADSA comes from my interest representing my own department and giving them a voice, in order to better connect the various departments of ACAD.

My background in leadership, through both work and my 2 years at ACAD, has helped me learn to problem solve in such a way that all parties voices are heard and a compromise can be found that best suits everyone. While coming into school, I found myself to be a very reserved person, I feel as though my time at ACAD has helped me grow to be a much more outgoing person who isn’t afraid to speak up and confront issues as they arise, in the hopes of bettering situations. In becoming the Graphic Design representative, my goal is to better connect the ACAD community, as well as to provide a more comfortable space to call home.

Greetings, my name is Julian Zwack, I am a fourth year Media Arts student applying for the position of Media Arts Representative.

As a near graduate at of in Media Arts and President of the Media Arts Student Association (MASA) and last years Media Arts representative for ACADSA I would like to resume working within the student association to forward the needs of my department. I am aware that towards the end of the year I was unable to attend several meetings due to conflicts with my schedule and my school workload, though this year as I finalize my studies I have a lighter schedule and have more time to dedicate to SLC meetings.

What I would like to advance this year is the needs of my department by voicing concerns and propositons from our MASA meetings to the SLC table to be addressed and help improve the experience of Media Arts students. I would also like to propose a student led program that would encourage students to work in a common space and exchange their expertise in artistic computer programs (2D, 3D, Audio, etc.) allowing students to intertrade their skills with one-another in order to accelerate the process of learning of new programs / techniques + tools.

Here are some of my relevant experience and qualifications:
Last year 1 was the Gallery Coordinator for the 4th Floor Media Art Gal1eries, where 1 booked student and teacher gallery bookings, repaired the space, established guidelines + contracts and assisted fellow students during installs with the A/V elements of their artwork.
For the last 2 years I’ve worked alongside EM MEDIA Gallery and Production Society aiding in the move to their current space, helping establish the new location and realise their current screening room and video edit suite+ sound booth. There l a\so did digital archiving for Rita Mckeough’s upcoming publication, and collaborated with the Calgary Independent Society of Filmmakers to produce a promo video for Luma Quarterly’s launch of their third Volume.
There I also helped realise the “Output-Input (2017)”, “Spectral Illuminations (2017-2018) “, “The Channelers (2018)” and “Fall/Flow (2018) exhibitions and the annual “Particle and Wave” Media Arts Festival (2018+2019).
I have worked with the Alberta Media Art Alliance Society (AMAAS) for their 2017 bi-annual genera! and their annual “Equinox Vigil” ,(2019’+2018) assisting with visualizations and A/V.
I am currently a board member of the Elephant Artist Relief Fund Society (Multimedia chair position) and a board member of TRUCK contemporary art gallery

Hope to work with you all again, to make our school experience as best as it can be,

Regards,
Julian Zwack

My name is Ekaterina Vopiyashina, I am a 4th-year Print Media student and I am running for the Print Media representative position.

Though the Print Media department is one of the smallest in ACAD, it is at the same time both challenging and a wonderful place to study. It combines contemporary technologies with rich traditions of printmaking, and it gives us, as students, nearly unlimited possibilities for artistic expression. I am proud to be a part of the Print department and my goal now is to make sure that every Print student is represented and that his or her voice is heard.

I am also committed to working toward facilitating more transparent communication between students, faculty and staff at ACADSA to allow for dialogue and positive outcomes. I will also do my best to give information and support to students who are considering or have recently chosen Print Media as their Major or Minor.

As I go into my senior year I hope to further extend my involvement in the ACAD community by becoming part of Student Leadership Council.

As the representative for the sculpture on the Student Leadership Council, I’ll play an active role in advocating for and improving our department. I’ll be approachable and bring our concerns and suggestions to the SLC, and work to enhance our time at ACAD as sculpture students.