News
This page hosts official announcements from the Alberta University of the Arts Students’ Association (Formerly Alberta College of Art + Design Students’ Association).
To see news from the university, please visit AUArts.ca
ACAD Discount to the Glenbow Museum
Since Alberta College of Art + Design has partnered with the Glenbow Museum for Alex Janvier’s exhibition Modern Indigenous Master, we get a deal! ACAD Students, faculty and staff can show their IDs and alumni can show their alumni cards for 20% off admission to the Glenbow.
The Exhibition runs from June 16 to September 9, 2018.
The exhibition, Alex Janvier: Modern Indigenous Master, organized by the National Gallery of Canada comes to Glenbow after a very successful run in Ottawa. This major retrospective spans the entirety of Janvier’s 65-plus year career and will showcase over 150 pieces of his art. Janvier graduated from ACAD with honours in 1960 and was awarded the ACAD Board of Governors Award of Excellence in 2011. His work combines Dene iconography with Western abstract styles and is rooted in the geo-cultural landscape of his home in northern Alberta.
The exhibition will take place at the same time that ACAD School of Visual Art faculty member, Gwenessa Lam, will showcase her own installation entitled What Magic at Glenbow as part of their One New Work exhibition series featuring Alberta artists.
REMINDER: Health & Dental Summer Coverage
The ACADSA Health & Dental Plan covers you throughout the summer – check out www.studentcare.ca for more info!
Full-year coverage is from Sept. 1, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2018. If you’re not sure of your coverage status, please contact Studentcare.
Contact the Studentcare member services centre at 1-866-358-4433 or visit studentcare.ca.
Summer Office Hours In Effect
We hope you are enjoying the sun. From mid-May to mid-August, the ACADSA office will be open Tuesday-Thursday from 10AM – 4PM.
Office Closed – Monday, May 21, 2018
We hope everyone has a great long weekend! Our office will be closed on Monday, May 21st, but we will be back to summer hours on Tuesday, May 22nd.
Gracious Gratitude Award Recipients
We received 160 nominations for this year’s round of Gracious Gratitude Awards. THANK YOU! These people go above and beyond their role to improve the ACAD community.
All nominees for the Gracious Gratitude Award will receive an award certificate and will be put into a draw for some great prizes at the Gracious Gratitude Award Celebration. If you miss the celebration, not to worry, your nomination will still be entered into the prize draw and you can pick up your award certificate at the ACADSA Office.
Election Results are in!!
Congratulations to all the successful candidates, the ballots are in and ACADSA is very excited to welcome you to the team! Our new representatives for the 2018/2019 academic year are…
Simone Saunders
For Director of Leadership & Governance, Executive Committee
Fiona Couillard
For Director of Advocacy & Representation, Executive Committee
Kayla Gale
For Director of External Relations, Executive Committee
Alena Martin
For Director of Cultural & Community Affairs, Executive Committee
Victoria Nagy
For Fibre Representative, Student Leadership Council
Jay Orion
For BFA General Studies Representative, Student Leadership Council
Nikolas Havlock
For Character Design Representative, Student Leadership Council
Leia (Shi Jie) Guo
For Glass Representative, Student Leadership Council
Alexia Mitchell
For Illustration Representative, Student Leadership Council
Josh Howard
For Jewellery + Metals Representative, Student Leadership Council
Francesca Flaskay
For Painting Representative, Student Leadership Council
Haley Eyre
For Photography Representative, Student Leadership Council
Thank you to everyone who participated! If your department still lacks representation, don’t worry! There will be a by-election in the fall to fill any empty positions! Questions? Email advocacy.acadsa@acad.ca.
Sincerely,
Dalyce Bryant
Director of Advocacy and Representation
Alberta College of Art + Design Students’ Association
advocacy.acadsa@acad.ca
Reminder: Gracious Gratitude Award Nominations Needed
The ACADSA Student Council is proud to present the ‘Gracious Gratitude Award’.
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond their role to improve the ACAD community? Is there someone who always puts a smile on your face? Someone who is happy to lend a helping hand? All nominations for the Gracious Gratitude Award will be put into a draw, and winners will be announced at the Year End Party in April. Help contribute to an acknowledgement of excellence within ACAD! Nominate your favourite ACADians today. The four categories for nominations include: students, faculty, administration, and staff (includes: cafeteria staff, bookstore, library, maintenance, security, etc.)
Nomination Deadline: Sunday, April 15th at Midnight
Awards will be presented at ACADSA’s Award Celebration/Year End Party on April 18 (More information about event to come).
Online Nominations Form: https://form.jotform.com/ACADSA/gracious-gratitude-award-1718
Election days are here! Vote in the Main Mall April 4 and 5
Good morning everyone,
Don’t forget to stop by the main mall near the ACADSA office tomorrow to cast your vote for your new 2018-2019 student representatives. The voting booths are open from 8:30AM to 5:30PM on April 4th and 5th. We will announce the winners on April 6th.
Take a look at the list of candidates at www.acadsa.ca/elections. We will have printed their campaign statements for you to read near the polling stations so that you can make an informed decision about who you would like to represent your department in the Student Leadership Council + Executive Committee!
If you have any questions, please email the official elections officer at advocacy.acadsa@acad.ca. Thank you!
Dalyce Bryant
Director of Advocacy & Representation
Alberta College of Art + Design Students’ Association
advocacy.acadsa@acad.ca
With Clarity In Mind: ACADSA Hear/d Exhibition
With Clarity in Mind
ACADSA Hear/d Residency Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: March 28 – April 8, 2018
Reception: Thursday, April 5, 6pm – 8pm
Main Mall, Alberta College of Art + Design
Artists:
Alicia Buates Mckenzie
Emily Elizabeth Melaugh
Jaime McDonald
Keiran Foster
Kellen Spencer
Megan Feniak
Robyn Chmelyk
Winona Julian
The ACADSA Hear/d Residency is a pilot peer support project developed by the ACAD Students’ Association. The Hear/d Residency program focuses on the central theme of resilience, relating to the journey of mental health issues currently experienced by many post-secondary students. Drawing on this theme, the Hear/d Residency program invites participants to explore concerns that are affecting post-secondary students in a creative and innovative way. Through group discussions, reflection, individual studio time, critiques, and workshops this residency provides a platform for a diversity of creative activity that aims to raise awareness of the issues that are affecting the health and well-being of post-secondary students, while also connecting members from different disciplines in the college.
Office Closed – Monday, April 2, 2018
We hope everyone has a great long weekend! Our office will be closed on Monday, April 2nd, but we will be back to regular hours on Tuesday, April 3rd.
Campaign Forum: ACADSA Elections
It’s time for ACADSA Elections! Join us in the cafeteria today (March 27), meet your candidates and get informed!
We Are Hiring! Jobs on Campus!
We have part-time and casual positions open including:
• Student Groups Coordinator
• Art Technician
• Graphic Design Coordinator
For more information about the hours of work, wages, job descriptions, and how to apply make sure you check out the link below!
Application Deadline: April 6, 2018
Gracious Gratitude Award Nominations Needed
Do you know a spectacular ACADian? Give them recognition!
The ACADSA Student Council is proud to present the ‘Gracious Gratitude Award’.
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond their role to improve the ACAD community? Is there someone who always puts a smile on your face? Someone who is happy to lend a helping hand? All nominations for the Gracious Gratitude Award will be put into a draw, and winners will be announced at the Year End Party in April. Help contribute to an acknowledgement of excellence within ACAD! Nominate your favourite ACADians today. The four categories for nominations include: students, faculty, administration, and staff (includes: cafeteria staff, bookstore, library, maintenance, security, etc.)
Nomination Deadline: Sunday, April 15th at Midnight
Awards will be presented at ACADSA’s Year End Party at the end of April (More information about event to come).
Online Nominations Form: https://form.jotform.com/ACADSA/gracious-gratitude-award-1718
Campaign Statements for 2018/19 ACADSA Election
For more information about the various positions visit www.acadsa.ca/elections. Meet and greet the candidates at the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, March 27 (between 1-2PM).
CAMPAIGN STATEMENTS
At the same time, we all have different schedules, timelines and responsibilities, so access to studios and flexibility in class schedules is important. I would look to my fellow students for their desires in class flexibility. Classmates have expressed interest in more options for Spring, credit classes, in order to ease or fulfill graduation requirements. I would follow up on that.
I would ask students for their desired content in the professional development classes. I have heard discontent repeatedly on this topic and have recently spoken with the chair of that department, who is open to ideas and to change. I want students to get what we really need from these classes, be it a progressive writing format for improving grant and school applications, or an editing of the content in general, this is something that needs to work for the students.
I would encourage open communication between ACADSA and the student body and would encourage efforts to make your representatives more visible and known to you. I would continue to encourage the open communication that has been fostered between the students and the ACAD governing bodies “ACAD”.
I have sat on juries for the Marion Nicoll Gallery and for student groups. I am currently on the Wellness Committee, Which, aspires to meet campus wellness needs. Wellness and advocacy go hand in hand. I want to advocate for what is in the greatest interest of ACAD Students, which in turn, aids in our wellness.
I am a strong and vocal voice, that is interested in, and will advocate for, what is best for you, the ACAD student.
In addition to the other post secondaries in the province, I believe ACAD needs to form symbiotic relationships with the post secondaries in Calgary in an effort to provide better services and a more cohesive experience among students.
Additionally, ACADSA needs to continue to be involved in government affairs in order to be taken seriously by the government and assert their presence in the community. This extends to the art community as well. My goal is to create a smoother communication between the various art establishments in Calgary and ACAD’s students.
All around, ACAD needs to build its relationship with the community around it, and I hope to be a part of that.
If elected to the ACADSA executive team, there are several things I will focus on to effect change as a voice for the students. One of the problems I would address while in office is the lack of mental health resources and awareness on campus. ACAD currently only has one councilor available to a school with an enrollment of just over 1000 students. During busy periods, students experience wait times ranging from three weeks to a month between sessions. This infrequency is unacceptable for students in crisis. ACAD was recently granted university status by the Government of Alberta, as well as funding initiatives involving mental health and well-being accommodations. I would like to leverage this to bring more councillors to ACAD and introduce other alternatives for students to seek out help if they need it. Another important topic I would like to address while seated in this position is bringing change and attention to ACAD’s policies and procedures regarding student health and wellness. In particular, I want to implement a comprehensive sexual harassment policy to be introduced to students through course safety talks and course outlines. I want students to know that there are support systems in place in case of such events as well as promoting the prevention of sexual harassment and assault within ACAD. I also want to introduce free menstrual products to campus, similar to what was done this year at the University of Calgary. For my third task I will improve communications within ACAD, especially among students. Many students at ACAD remain uninformed about important news, policies and events regarding our school. I want to engage with the student body and allow for as much transparency between ACAD, ACADSA and students as possible. Organization, communication, well-being and safety will be my most important tasks in this leadership role in order to guarantee students will be welcomed and accepted into ACAD’s community.
Questions? Contact me at alena.martin@acad.ca!
In addition, being a part of our health and wellness team, I will help facilitate access to school resources and be an open ear for anyone to reach out to. As someone who understands the struggles of the average art college student, on top of being an international transfer; I can really help with guidance and a fresh perspective to student problems.
ACAD’s community is a melting pot, and my goal is to make it more of a Mosaic. In a melting pot scenario, the artists and teachers assimilate into the culture to blend in and work together. In a mosaic, each artistic discipline is celebrated for its value and diversity, and can be harmonized with other students and teachers to create an overall mosaic image of our community. My goal is to facilitate the building of bridges and friendships between the different subcultures and artistic practices inside our school. If elected, my hope is that I will help us shine brightly together and glitter through the rainbow glass of our school’s dream Mosaic.
My goals for this position is to at least achieve one thing that will help as many students as possible. So, that being said, if I get elected, I will not neglect your help and do my best to offer a different perspective and if needed, forward your concerns to the higher ups to satisfy your experience in this institution. That being said, let me help you with any troubles that are not to student satisfaction. Thank you for your time.
Next year will be my fifth year at ACAD. I know my way around the school and how I can improve it. I have always done my best to advocate for my own needs and the needs of others. Transparency and communication is key to being as efficient in this position as possible. One thing I would love to do is help the Fibre department become more active within the school. By helping Cloth Club with fundraising, and listening to the ideas of my cohorts we can create something everyone can be a part of. I would also like to look into opening the Art Hole again. It is one of the spaces within the school that should be taken advantage of. It has a lot to offer as another student-lead space for art and fundraising.
I have always been in teaching positions throughout my life, notably when I was an assistant instructor teaching martial arts for people as young as six and as old as sixty-five. I have helped lead self-defense workshops for Women In Need and All Sport One Day. I have also been an advocate for mental health within my community and my personal relationships. Acting as someone who supports and encourages individuals to find solutions that work for them instead of all-encompassing suggestions.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
-To give a voice for my fellow students who feel under represented, particularly in the jewellry department.
-To gain a better understanding first hand at the processes in the decision making of ACAD, so that clear lines of communication can reach the students.
Why am I qualified?
-I can speak my mind without fear, knowing that my words echo the sentiments of my colleagues and I am their doubts and praise given voice on the board.
-Able to make informed decisions based on what is presented to me, but also knowing that I need to dig deeper to make sure EVERYTHING is presented to all on the council.
-Served as representative on committees or in unions before, and am prepared for the craziness that comes with this kind of information sharing organization.
What are my key topics?
-The under representation of not only the student voice but ACADSA as a whole, and insuring that ACAD students have a much clearer understanding of what ACADSA is and does for them.
-Saving what remains of the jewellery program and trying to bring some things back to it, while also trying to attract more students to the program.
-Aiding my fellow ACADSA reps and directors in leading ACAD to a better future through negotiation and socialization with other student run organizations like SAITSA and UofCSU.
From being one of the 8 students who attended the student Painting department meeting, I have found that the communication between the students and the ACAD government needs improvement. It is because of this that I would make it my primary initiative to increase communication within the painting department. Alongside this, I am determined to bring awareness to the entire department, especially in relation to the uncertainty of the Painting Show, that seems to be going around.
I am a liaison, a bridge that connects the politics of ACAD to the everyday life of the students. My energy and enthusiasm to be the representative for the students will make our community a more unified and celebrated one.
ACADSA 2018/19 Election Candidates (Vote on April 4-5)
Hey ACADSA members,
Here are your candidates for the 2018-19 ACADSA Election. Voting will take place on April 4th + April 5th. Polling stations will be located in the Main Mall from 8:30AM – 5:30PM on both days. This is your opportunity to have a say on who represents you for the 2018/19 academic year. For more information visit www.acadsa.ca/elections.
For Director of Leadership & Governance, Executive Committee
- Simone Saunders
For Director of Advocacy & Representation, Executive Committee
- Fiona Couillard
- Jenna Van Buekenhout
For Director of External Relations, Executive Committee
- Kayla Gale
For Director of Cultural & Community Affairs, Executive Committee
- Alena Martin
- Emily Elizabeth Melaugh
For BFA General Studies Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Jay Orion
For Character Design Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Nikolas Havlock
For Fibre Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Eva Birhanu
- Victoria Nagy
For Glass Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Leia (Shi Jie) Guo
For Illustration Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Alexia Mitchell
For Jewellery + Metals Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Josh Howard
For Painting Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Francesca Flaskay
For Photography Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Haley Eyre
If you would like more information on these candidates you can look at their platform/campaign statements at www.acadsa.ca/2018/03/campaign-statements-for-201819-acadsa-election/, or you can attend the meet and greet Candidates Forum that will be happening on Tuesday, March 27 (between 1-2PM) in the cafeteria.
There are no candidates running for the following positions:
- Advertising Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Ceramics Representative, Student Leadership Council
- First Year Studies Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Graduate Studies Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Graphic Design Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Media Arts + Digital Technologies Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Drawing Representative, Student Leadership Council
- International Student Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Print Media Representative, Student Leadership Council
- Sculpture Representative, Student Leadership Council
If you have any questions please email (the official elections officer at advocacy.acadsa@acad.ca. Thank you!
Dalyce Bryant
Director of Advocacy & Representation
Alberta College of Art + Design Students’ Association
advocacy.acadsa@acad.ca