VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P. for Vancouver Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), today announced $603,372 for the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, the largest investment ever provided to an arts institute in Canada. The funding will strengthen British Columbia’s new media, creative arts and design industries. The Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design will purchase equipment to enhance its research and development capabilities and new media infrastructure with leading-edge technologies, such as motion capture equipment and a 3D prototyping lab. The new equipment will ensure B.C. remains the largest new media hub in Canada. “We are committed to maintaining British Columbia’s position at the forefront of new media technology,” said Dr. Fry. “With practical applications in established industries such as telecommunications and forestry, the new media sector in B.C. is a major source of jobs, economic opportunity and innovation. I am proud we are investing in its growth.” “We’re very pleased to receive this grant. This funding will allow our students, faculty and research partners access to leading-edge technology, which will lead to innovations in art, design and new media,” said Dr. Ron Burnett, President, Emily Carr Institute. Founded in 1925, the Emily Carr Institute for Art and Design has grown from a small art school into a post-secondary institution with over 1,300 full-time students. Its mission is to develop informed creative artists, designers and media practioners who can contribute their creative output and research to Canada's economy and cultural sector. It currently offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, General Fine Arts, and Photography; a Bachelor of Design in Communication Design and Industrial Design, and a Bachelor of Media Arts in Animation or Integrated Media. A new Masters of Applied Arts is in development. Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that advance Sustainable Communities, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Federal funding for this project is included in the fiscal framework. For additional information, contact: Susan Schooley Manager, Communications Western Economic Diversification Canada Vancouver, BC Tel: (604) 666-1318 E-mail: susan.schooley@wd.gc.ca Renée Gillen Press Secretary Office of the Minister, Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) (613) 954-1110 Moira McDermott Manager, Communications and Alumni Relations Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (604) 844-3860 Web site: www.eciad.ca Barb Snelgrove Special Assistant & Communications Advisor, The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P. Vancouver Centre (604) 666-0651 WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca
