For ECU 100, we are reflecting on the BC Young Artists Exhibitions, which ran from 1979 to 1993 and showcased the work of artists aged 3-18.
Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) was an early pioneer in spotlighting the artistic talent of children and teens across the province through the biennial BC Young Artists (BCYA) Exhibition.
From the late 1970s, ECU staff within the Outreach Program looked beyond their horizons and took inspiration from the ‘Children’s Art from Great Britain’ exhibition, of which Tom Hudson, former co-Principal of ECU and Dean of Instruction, was an adjudicator.
The subsequent BCYA exhibitions helped shape how ECU imagined expanding arts education across the province.
“The program connects to the provincial mandate around arts education and to the idea of serving British Columbia more broadly, rather than just Vancouver,” said Kristy Waller, ECU Archivist. “It was also about showing what was possible through children making art, and art education for teachers, especially in more rural places.”
Selecting the Finest Works
From the first exhibition in 1979, the Outreach team developed a thoughtful adjudication process when reviewing the artworks submitted by children and teens. The entries reflected a wide range of artistic approaches from adorable hand paintings and pastel experiments to pastoral scenes and the more self-referential, refined styles of older students.
Students submitted their work through schools and community programs, which allowed the exhibition to capture a wide range of artistic approaches and regional perspectives. Reports from the ECU Archives highlight how the adjudication committee of art educators, artists and designers from across the province made their selections.
“In adjudicating children’s art, there are different developmental stages, as art works become more mature and closer to adult standards. Creativity can be found everywhere, and it is important to search within each work to the idea as well as the technical ability” said Judith O’Keefe, Outreach Coordinator, in a 1993 report.
The judges separated works into age groups and spent long hours reviewing entries. The inaugural exhibition in 1979 received over 5,200 submissions, growing to 20,000 by the final exhibition in 1993.
A painting by Sara White from Courtenay for the BCYA ’83 (ECU Archives)
A drawing by Eric Ng from Vancouver from BCYA’ 83 (ECU Archives)
A joyful artwork from Natasha McKellar from Fort Nelson for BCYA 83′ (ECU Archives)
A vibrant painting by Koon Suen from Vancouver for BCYA ’83 (ECU Archives)
A celebratory artwork by Richard Shum for BCYA ’91 (ECU Archives)
Touring the World
The Outreach team also received support from the BC Government, teaching associations, unions, banks, and businesses that helped the exhibition tour from across BC, as far as the Yukon Territories, to around the world.
The exhibitions supported excellence in arts education while expanding ECU’s international reach. In 1985, eleven artworks were selected by Paintbrush Diplomacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for their collection. BCYA ’85 was also exhibited in Adelaide, Australia, and is now housed permanently at the International Museum of Children’s Art in Oslo, Norway.
When the Outreach program closed in 1993, the exhibitions served as a shining example that any child is capable of artistic expression if they receive the right support and nurturing of their talent.
As ECU turns 100, Kristy thinks of the impact the exhibitions had on young artists at the time.
“To have their work selected and then toured around the province, that must have been something the kids felt proud of, and a lasting memory. It would be interesting to know how many of those students went on to art school, became art teachers, or stayed connected to the arts in some way, even if it wasn’t their career. I’d like to think the program had some kind of impact there. Looking back at this program feels like an opportunity to learn from something that clearly showed the value of arts education in a accessible way.”
Decades before ECU established its current youth programs, the BC Young Artists’ Exhibition demonstrated the university’s long-standing commitment to nurturing creativity across the province.
100 Years of Creativity: The Stories that Shaped Us
As part of Emily Carr University’s centennial celebrations and our ‘100 Years of Creativity’ campaign, we are sharing stories that spotlight the creativity, resilience and impact of our community over the past 100 years. These stories feature the people, projects, places and ideas that have shaped ECU, reminding us of our shared legacy while inspiring the future. By revisiting past milestones and sharing new ones, we honour the many voices that built our institution and continue to guide its path forward.
For more information about ECU 100 centennial celebrations, upcoming events and stories, visit our webpage.