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Dr. Trish Kelly installed as the 10th President of Emily Carr University

205 ECU President Inst Oct03 2024
Photo by Kim Bellavance

By Emily Carr University

Posted on | Updated

In her address, President Kelly shared her vision for future of the university.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) proudly celebrated the installation of Dr. Trish Kelly as the 10th President of the university held on October 3, 2024, at the Reliance Theatre. The event brought together members from the ECU community, as well as esteemed guests and visitors from partner institutions, to witness this significant milestone.

The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Her Honour, the Honourable Janet Austin, administered the Oath of Office following remarks from ECU’s Chancellor Carleen Thomas and Board Chair, Don Avison, KC. Dr. Kelly was then adorned in the Robe of Office by Board Chair Don Avison, KC, and Manager of Aboriginal Programs, Kajola Morewood, marking her official installment as President + Vice-Chancellor.

The President’s Robe of Office features artwork by ECU alum Xwalacktun, OBC, titled C2Sky. The design includes repeating elements: salmon representing the sea and eagles symbolizing the sky. Together, these motifs reflect building from the ground up—echoing themes from President Kelly’s address.

“Emily Carr University is made up of many brilliant individuals, and my role is to help support and guide our collective vision while sharing the stories of the amazing work happening within our walls,” says President Kelly. “Leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about listening, learning, and creating space for everyone’s voice to be heard. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration remain at the core of what we do.”

The ceremony thoughtfully incorporated Indigenous themes throughout, honouring ECU’s relationship and responsibility to the Coast Salish Peoples. Highlights include a Coast Salish Eye, created by Ocean Highland, adorning the back of the Robe of Office and cedar boughs framing the stage, offering a cleansing space to be approached with “an open heart and open mind.” The event also features a performance by the Matriarch Mamas and a post-ceremony reception catered by Friendship Catering.

In her speech, President Kelly emphasized the shared responsibility for integrating Indigenous perspectives and recognizing the impacts of colonial history.

“As a university situated on unceded Indigenous lands, we are obligated to engage in reconciliation and decolonization. This is not the work of one person or one department—it is the work of all of us,” says President Kelly. “We must continue to engage thoughtfully with Indigenous communities and ensure our actions align with our commitments. This is how we honour the land we are on and the diverse cultures that make up our community.”

Other initiatives highlighted in President Kelly’s address include a forward-looking vision shaped by reflections on ECU’s upcoming centennial in 2025 and the unveiling of a new strategic plan, outlining a roadmap for the university over the next six years.

“As we approach 100 years as an institution, we have the chance not only to reflect on our past but to boldly envision the tomorrow we want to create,” says President Kelly. “This is a time to embrace change, build on our strengths, and ensure that ECU continues to be a leader in art and design into the next century.”

Looking ahead to her term, President Kelly encouraged the ECU community and its partners to come together to shape the next phase of the university’s journey, advancing ECU with purpose, creativity, and a shared vision.

Visit our presidential installation page for more information about the ceremony.



Dr. Trish Kelly has been a dedicated member of the Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) community for over a decade, serving in numerous capacities that have helped shape the institution's academic and creative vision. Before her recent appointment as President + Vice-Chancellor, she served as Vice-President Academic + Provost, a role she assumed in 2019. Her deep commitment to ECU is reflected in her extensive experience within the university, including serving as a faculty member, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, and various other leadership positions.

Dr. Kelly holds a PhD in Art History from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Arts from Tufts University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. Before her tenure at ECU, she was an Associate Professor at DePaul University in Chicago, where she established herself as a respected scholar and educator.

As an art historian and educator, Dr. Kelly's research and writings on contemporary art have been widely published in peer-reviewed journals such as Art Journal, American Art, Journal of Curatorial Studies, and The Sixties: A Journal of History, Politics, and Culture. Her scholarly work explores a range of subjects, including minimal art and abstraction, the intersection of art and politics, alternative art networks, and the dynamics of time and duration in new media production. Central to her research is a sustained interest in viewership and art-making as forms of knowledge production.

Dr. Kelly is committed to collaborative and inclusive leadership models. She has actively contributed to the broader community by serving on various boards and advisory committees, including the Food Stash Foundation, which promotes food security, zero waste, and sustainable agriculture, and the Academic Committee of the GNW Trust, dedicated to fostering inclusive and participatory partnerships between post-secondary institutions.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is a world leader in education and research. Encouraging experimentation at the intersections of art, design, media and technology, ECU merges studio practice, research and critical theory in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment. Founded in Vancouver in 1925, the university has over 2000 students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs, and thousands more taking workshops, certificate programs and individual courses. Their faculty and alumni are internationally recognized as award-winning creators and thought leaders who have significant impact on both the cultural sector and the economy.


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