Emily Carr University Seeks Stories from Community Members Past and Present to Celebrate Centennial

In October 2025, Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) turns 100! As the launch of centennial celebrations approaches, the university is reaching out to students, staff, faculty and alumni to help spotlight stories from its past and craft a vision of what lies ahead.

“For nearly a century, ECU’s community members have been the beating heart of local, national and international art and design history,” says Trish Kelly, President + Vice-Chancellor. “That history is a living one, and the generations of people whom it reveals continue to push the boundaries of what creative practice can achieve. As we embark on our next chapter of innovation, we want to celebrate these extraordinary changemakers, past, present and future, who are shaping industries, fostering communities and developing new ways for creativity to transform the world.”

Since its establishment on Oct. 1, 1925, ECU has been a leader in shaping a better world through art and design, inspiring bold thinking and innovative practices. Its students, staff, faculty and alumni have played a critical role in forging meaningful change in the world.

ECU’s centennial storytelling series is called “100 Years of Creativity: Stories That Shaped Us.” This theme aims to capture the mosaic of memories and inspirations that anchor the transformative presence of ECU’s community. This series will also reflect the crucial role creativity plays in tackling today’s toughest challenges.

ECU’s students, staff, faculty and alumni have helped shape artistic movements and major public projects, represented Canada to the world, redefined cultural and national identity, and led the creation of new possibilities for artists and designers locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. They’ve worked at the leading edge of today’s most critical movements, created spaces for connection and community where none previously existed, and transformed the way future generations of practitioners approach the work of creating change.

“Every person who has passed through our university’s doors has a story to tell, and we want to lean into the work of gathering those voices,” Kayla Stuckart, Interim Executive Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs says. “We’re looking to our community to help us resurface what was lost, honour what has been achieved, and bring a spirit of reflection, care and excitement to our first steps into ECU’s second century.”

SHARE YOUR STORY

Are you a student or alumni? A staff or faculty member, past or present? Do you know a community member who deserves to be featured for their exceptional work, challenging the status quo or changing their world for the better? Perhaps you have a personal story about how ECU has shaped your creative journey.

Visit our story submissions page and tell us your tale. Your reflections are integral chapters in ECU’s story. Select stories will be featured in our upcoming centennial campaign and across our digital channels.

Together, we can build an unprecedented showcase of the ECU community’s commitment to shaping the next generation of artists, designers, and innovators.