ACAD's commitment to challenging existing patterns of thought and contributing new ideas, new voices and new vocabularies to the important conversations of today is at the forefront of all we do. Our faculty continue to contribute award winning and internationally recognized research and scholarship to our world every year.
Over more than 80 years, ACAD faculty have made a remarkable contribution to the field of creative art and design research in Canada, and throughout the world. Our faculty have demonstrated a dedication to their research work, both through their individual practices, and their contributions to the critical discourse around art and design. The creation of original works of art, design and scholarship is only one way in which we contribute to our role as a cultural institution - these artists and designers are also active and involved community members, reaching out into our city and across the world with their practice and their involvement in collaborative exhibitions.
Research is fundamental to ACAD’s mission, both in terms of supporting studio and classroom learning, and personal creative explorations. ACAD’s Vice President Research and Academic Affairs, along with the Office of the Dean, assists our faculty with funding and support to facilitate research work throughout the year.
ACAD Faculty members are committed to the creating an important contribution to the art and design community through their practice, and through research activity. This work takes it’s form through the creation of publications, conference presentations, visiting artist activity, independent research projects and individual artistic practices.
The Institute for the Creative Process at the Alberta College of Art + Design (ICP@ACAD) is unique in a Canadian post-secondary institution. The Institute exists to focus and organize the various activities, enterprises, and initiatives of ACAD with regard to the cultivation of dialogue, research, and special projects that directly address the nature of the creative process and design thinking.