Province Contributes to NSCAD Growth
The provincial government is providing $4.75-million in funding for the new NSCAD University Port Campus that will make room for more students and include improved ceramic and sculpture studios to benefit all working at, and attending the new campus.
The Port Campus will be housed at the current Shed 21, a two-storey building on the Halifax Port Authority seawall. The campus will contain about 6,503 square metres of new classroom and studio space. Construction should be complete by February 2007.
"The province is providing the funding to NSCAD because post-secondary education is critical to the future prosperity of Nova Scotia," said Education Minister Jamie Muir.
Other post-secondary funding from the province includes the 2004 memorandum of understanding that provides stable operating grants for universities across Nova Scotia. The province has also invested $123 million to expand the Nova Scotia Community College. Talks are ongoing to secure additional federal funding for education infrastructure.
"We are delighted to receive this fantastic support from the provincial government," said NSCAD president Paul Greenhalgh. "The new campus will not only be of benefit to the students and faculty of NSCAD, but for all of Nova Scotia. It will focus attention on our vibrant arts and culture sector."
Every year, the university graduates about 200 men and women.
Current leases are expiring so the university must leave two downtown rented spaces in the Lismer and Morse's Tea buildings in Halifax's Historic Properties.
While these premises have served the university well over the past 30 years, the Port Campus will allow NSCAD to increase its complement of graduate and undergraduate students. There will also be more space for the development of appropriate facilities for ceramics, sculpture, woodshop, metal shop and foundry, plastics studio, studios and teaching space for students at all levels of study.
NSCAD University is one of Canada's premiere universities dedicated to advancing the visual arts through education, research and production. Part of Nova Scotia's cultural landscape since 1887, NSCAD has offered graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine and media arts, craft and design for more than 30 years. NSCAD alumni are among Canada's most highly regarded artists, gallery directors, designers, curators and art educators. The Port Campus was first announced by NSCAD on March 4, 2005.