Annual Report 2018-19 Message from the President Professor Dianne Taylor-Gearing I am delighted to share with you the accomplishments the community of Halifax, the province of Nova Scotia of an extraordinary year at NSCAD University. and beyond contributes significantly to the region’s strength of character and cultural capital. Its impact As you review this Annual Report, I am hopeful you on students equips them with a globally recognized will be amazed at how much was achieved by the degree, preparing them for creative industry, NSCAD community working together. The successes entrepreneurship and leadership roles. NSCAD’s of the 2018-2019 year were delivered by a commitment impact continuously resonates through our powerful to the four pillars of the strategic framework 2015- alumni network and esteemed faculty. After 132 years, 2020 that kept us focused on NSCAD’s priorities for our institution continues to hold a significant presence institutional success: Nurture. Curiosity. Steward. and influence in the world of art and design. Connect. These four grounding pillars, that were once merely words, became dynamic and spirited, leading When we talk about impact, I must acknowledge to continued growth for a positive future. our generous donors. NSCAD has built real relationships with whom we share this impact. Their Delivering on the strategic plan, NSCAD student gifted funds are utilized throughout the fabric of the enrolment and retention has grown and we are university – by supporting hopeful, talented students; achieving targets; the facilities strategy has been by building new and exciting programs; by maintaining mobilized; our financial position is strong; and we our studio spaces and facilities; and so much more. are delivering on institutional plans. We have begun Within this Annual Report you will see donor profiles, exploring our facilities options, which is essential for providing a glimpse into the benevolent, innovative NSCAD to remain a competitive and viable school donor family we have built throughout the years. of art, craft and design. A priority for our planning These generous friends of the university recognize its is to be universally accessible and inclusive and as importance and enable NSCAD’s impact and influence we work towards the vision we are motivated by the locally and globally. public’s strong support for a new facility, and by the opportunity to be a part of the Arts District on the As my five-year mandate as NSCAD’s president is Halifax Waterfront. successfully delivered, charting this path hasn’t always been easy, but by fostering collaboration and Work has been ongoing to prioritize resources to working together the university has excelled. I would support students and their success, including a new like to thank NSCAD esteemed faculty, staff, donors, role for student mental health counselling on campus sponsors, the Board of Governors, alumni, partners, and a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme. NSCAD and the students for sharing your talent, ideas, time remains committed to 24/7 open access, a unique and effort with me throughout my tenure. benefit to support student success and achievement. By prioritizing efforts such as these, student retention The university’s priorities are aligned. We have has increased. Students want to study at NSCAD, and invested in growth and long-term sustainability. We NSCAD continues to be a place where students with are well positioned for new endeavors and, while there creative passion come to stay. remains work to be done, there is always creativity and passion at NSCAD. NSCAD’s impact is far reaching, and can be measured in many varied ways. For example, NSCAD’s impact on NSCAD forward and forever! NSCAD UNIVERSITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 1 Message from the Chair Louise Anne Comeau It is an exciting time to be part of the NSCAD is essential for many reasons, none more important community. For the last 132 years, our university than ensuring we are removing barriers to education. has been recognized as a creative force in Nova Scotia Making NSCAD more accessible is an important step and abroad. Our graduates bring critical acclaim to in further developing the vibrant growth of downtown the university and our province, earning the creative Halifax. As part of the Halifax Arts District, NSCAD will industry’s highest accolades, from Sobey Art Awards to continue to be a gathering place for family and visitors Governor General Awards and from Grammy Awards to experience the very best in contemporary cultural to Academy Awards among many others. We continue exhibitions, art, provincial collections and engaging to showcase Nova Scotia’s talent on a global stage, most creative experiences. recently in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s exhibition Despite our current facility restraints, many Maud Lewis and the Nova Scotia Terroir in China, where improvements have been made. Student enrolment all six of the contemporary female artists were either is growing, our finances are strong, and we remain an NSCAD alumni or staff. NSCAD University contributes institution where students with a creative vision want to the rich creative fabric and innovative workforce to belong. Much of this can be attributed to Professor of our province. Taylor-Gearing, who came to NSCAD at a pivotal time Though by many standards we are seen to be a small in our university’s history. We are very thankful to university, NSCAD’s impact on the world of art, craft Dianne for her unwavering commitment to NSCAD and design has always been extraordinary. This is the and for her leadership in helping the university result of our highly respected faculty and alumni, our advance its goals. passionate and talented students, our generous and Now as we embark on this next phase of growth, involved donors, our dedicated and diligent staff, and we welcome NSCAD’s 22nd president Dr. Aoife our storied past. NSCAD is a divergent school, unlike Mac Namara, whose appointment commenced August any other institution of its kind in Canada. 4, 2019. Under Dr. Mac Namara’s leadership, we will In order to maintain that reputation, we are exploring continue to build on our 132 history of excellence– how to ensure that our facilities are practical, and ensure NSCAD remains a vibrant, innovative, innovative, and useful spaces for creative enterprise, competitive arts university that will continue to open to students and the community at-large. This impact the lives of students and our community. 132 YEARS OLD FOUNDEDIN 1887 AND COUNTING Academic Report Dr. Ann-Barbara Graff, Vice-President (Academic and Research) What is increasingly clear, as it becomes an ever- COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS present part of a shared awareness in governmental, I am pleased to announce that the collective agreements political, and economic sectors, is that the kind of for FUNSCAD Unit I and Unit II were officially signed educational experience offered at NSCAD is precisely in June, 2019. This concludes the negotiation process in line with the demands of a next generation. What for another three years and speaks to the hard work of the Conference Board of Canada defines as future everyone on the bargaining team. Sustainable contracts skills: resilience, adaptability, ingenuity, and creativity, were negotiated, which recognize the invaluable are the skills fostered through NSCAD’s studio-based contributions of faculty, instructors, and technicians. curriculum. Over the next year, we will be focusing on highlighting the unique benefits of NSCAD’s degree EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION programs to prospective students, government, and Increasingly pressing were consultations about industry partners. equity, diversity and inclusion (“EDI”), priorities At NSCAD, the 2018-19 academic year was spent largely and direction of the nationally funded research on strengthening the essential foundations of academic infrastructure through the Canadian Foundation for governance and programming. Infrastructure (“CFI”), and facilities planning. In June, NSCAD signed the Dimensions charter recognizing After two years of intensive faculty discussion, the the need for greater EDI in post-secondary research. Foundation Studies program was redesigned in NSCAD understands that – when EDI is a priority – response to faculty and student feedback. We have an institution will benefit from improved access to moved to embed 18 of the first 30 credits of first qualified potential participants, enhanced integrity year into the divisional areas. What does this mean: of a program’s application and selection processes, students will be working in studio classes that are strengthened research outputs and increased overall now in and among upper year classes; they will excellence in research. have specialized technician support; and students and faculty alike will be able to build community based on passion and interest. Faculty will have CANADA RESEARCH COUNCIL SPECIAL ALLOCATION more formal opportunities to teach in first year and In recognition of NSCAD’s growing research success, provide a clear connection between the first-year NSCAD has been awarded a Canadian Research Chair experience and the capstone, graduating year. (“CRC”) Tier 1. Tier 1 Chairs are tenable for seven In 2018-19, Academic Senate rewrote its constitution years and renewable once; these Chairs are reserved and bylaws. This is a significant achievement, and the for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their Chair of Senate, Professor Rory MacDonald, is to be peers as world leaders in their fields. For each Tier