About ACAD

President’s Message of Welcome

Welcome to the Alberta College of Art + Design.

Creativity through Arts and Design play an essential role in enriching our lives, and through its mission, ACAD is exceptionally well positioned to act as a leader in this area.

The study of art and design is a search, a quest.  It is an exploration of ideas, a celebration of creativity, and an understanding of what connects us to the world. It is a way of seeing, a way of thinking about the tools and materials we use, the clothing we wear, the buildings we inhabit. It is as much about the pleasure of the eyes as of the soul. It is to reflect on the extraordinary moments as well as the ordinary ones of our daily lives, it is about understanding, enriching and educating our environment – ultimately ourselves.

As we celebrate 85 years of a very rich history, the Alberta College of Art + Design through its fine arts as well as its professional design programs takes full advantage of its location in the dynamic city of Calgary. The resulting synergy truly produces an exceptionally stimulating academic environment where one can achieve one’s full potential.

Each program is actively engaged in graduating students who become leaders in their fields. All this starts with the faculty and staff whose expertise, knowledge, and dedication is truly outstanding. To be a part of the Alberta College of Art + Design is to become a member of a passionate, exceptionally talented community of students, faculty and staff.

A life in the fields of art and design is always changing and demanding, but more importantly it is truly rewarding. At ACAD we are all privilege in that we are able to fully engage in nurturing our passions in making our dreams and aspirations visible. To that end I invite you to explore our website and its numerous links to access additional information.

Dr. Daniel Doz
President + CEO

85 years of ACAD leadership
  • 1926-1929 – Lars Haukaness (Head)
  • 1929-1935 – A.C Leighton (Head)
  • 1936-1946 – H.G. Glyde (Head)
  • 1946-1947 – J.W.G. MacDonald (Head)
  • 1947-1967 – Stanford Perrott (Head)
  • 1967-1974 – Illingworth (Buck) Kerr (Head)
  • 1974-1982 – Kenneth Sturdy (Head)
  • 1982-1983 – Richard Halliday (Head 1983), Walt Drohan (Head 1983)
  • 1983-1986 – Arthur (Mickey) Meads (Head 1983-1985, Acting President 1985-1986)
  • 1986-1987 – Douglas Morton (President)
  • 1988-1993 – Robin Mayor (President)
  • 1994-1998 – Arthur Greenblatt (President)
  • 1999-2004 – Desmond Rochford (President)
  • 2004-2010 – Lance Carlson (President)
  • 2010-present – Daniel Doz (President)
Biography

Dr. Daniel Doz has been the President + CEO of the Alberta College of Art + Design since September of 2010.

Dr. Daniel Doz came to ACAD having been the Dean of the Faculty of Communication & Design at Ryerson University in Toronto. Born in Montreal and educated in France, Dr. Doz has a wide range of academic experience that spans several disciplines including art, cinema, photography, theatre, and architecture.

President's Cabinet

The ACAD President’s Cabinet (Cabinet) is the strategic leadership body of the Alberta College of Art + Design advising the President + CEO on all issues related to delivering academic excellence. Cabinet is a standing committee responsible to the President, composed of Vice Presidents and Directors who have full budget authority for their respective programs/departments and who have significant leadership and planning responsibilities. Cabinet works within the context of Alberta College of Art and Design’s mandate to advance all priority directions with respect to business related matters and the academic experience at the ACAD.