CALGARY, August 13, 2009 - The Alberta College of Art + Design is extremely pleased to share that the Government of Canada has announced, with the Province of Alberta, that ACAD will receive a combined total of $1.7 million dollars in funding for infrastructure improvements to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in our current College facility.
ACAD was awarded $850,000 from the Government of Canada and matching funds of $850,000 from the Alberta Government totaling $1.7 million towards our infrastructure needs to continue to support the ability of the college to deliver advanced knowledge and skills training in areas of design and new media.
This investment is part of the federal government's two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities. The program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada's colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.
"At a time of economic uncertainty, our government is making a strong intervention to stimulate economic activity through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program," said Minister Prentice. "This initiative to renew Canada's college infrastructure will provide a significant short-term economic stimulus and put many people to work in Calgary."
The Alberta College of Art + Design would especially like to thank the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Southern Alberta for his support at the federal level, and our own provincial Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Doug Horner.
"Thanks to this funding from both the Federal and Provincial Governments, we are able to make the infrastructure improvements that are so important to our current College facility", stated Lance Carlson, President + CEO of the Alberta College of Art + Design, "This work will help us create the best centre for cultural development and studio based post secondary education possible, and will improve the spaces in which we work, teach and learn here at ACAD."
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ACAD is a leading centre for education and research, and a catalyst for creative inquiry and cultural development. We engage the world and create possibilities.
For more information or to arrange an interview:
AnneMarie Dorland
Director of Communications
t. 403.284.7656
c. 403.472.2322
e. AnneMarie.Dorland@acad.ca
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