Exhibition + Critique Resources

Presenting and showing your work is a big part of your education at Emily Carr University. It can be daunting to put your work out there, whether it’s for critique or exhibition, or for an audience of your peers or the general public. There are a number of opportunities available to you during your time here, and many resources to help you along the way.

The Students' Union is a great place to start for information on student experience at Emily Carr. Their Student Exhibitions Committee offers resources and information on how students have conceived of and collaborated on exhibitions in the past. Check out their website for tips, opportunities and FAQs. You can also pop by the Student Union office on level 2 next to the cafeteria to ask questions and meet the team.

The Exhibitions Office and Community Bookings can address many of your questions about how to install and deinstall works, and what spaces are available for critique or exhibition. Make sure to read through the information on this page, and then contact us at exhibitions@ecuad.ca and communitybookings@ecuad.ca if you have additional questions.

The Writing Centre is an excellent resource for students looking to develop skills in proposal writing, artist statements, essays and much more. Make an appointment or find drop-in hours here.

And if there’s other questions you have, Student Services is here to help. Contact them through their office on level 2, across from Reception, or find out more here.

Please familiarize yourself with the terms below before submitting your request.

Exhibition installations on the 1st and 2nd levels of the university (including the Michael O’Brien Exhibition Commons, the RBC Media Gallery, and Zone 4) are overseen by the Exhibitions Office, and accessible via our Exhibition Space Request Form.

All exhibitions should adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The Exhibition/Event should be the same as that requested. Any deviation without the approval of the Exhibitions Office is subject to removal.

2. The Exhibition/Event must not present any kind of health or safety hazard. This also applies to the materials used in the work’s production. Modification or removal may be necessary if the work is deemed to present such a hazard.

3. Only installation materials approved for use are allowed. Please see the How to Install your work guidelines.

4. Exhibitors requiring the use of equipment such as computers, monitors, projectors, speakers, etc. must make their own arrangements for the loan of these from Media Resources (mediaresources@ecuad.ca) and/or ITS Services. A minimum of one (1) week advance notice is required to reserve equipment for an exhibition. Securing equipment is not the responsibility of the Exhibitions Department. For assistance securing equipment please consult with Exhibition Technicians before your installation.

5. Exhibitors are responsible for requesting and/or locating their own exhibition furniture, including plinths and display tables before installation. The Libby Leshgold Gallery does not provide plinths, vitrines or tables for exhibitions.

6. Requests for exhibition help and install support must be made a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the start date of your exhibition. This includes requests for the use of the scissor lift, Media and Technical Services support, and any special requests that require a Technician to be present to assist with the installation. Requests made with less than 2 weeks notice cannot be guaranteed.

7. Emily Carr University is not responsible for the theft or damage of artwork on display within its galleries and public spaces.

8. Exhibition spaces must be returned to their original condition by the end of day on the last day of the exhibition. Please see the How to De-Install + Restore Space section. Repainting must be completed before the end of your exhibition dates. There are no exceptions to this rule.

The ECU community is encouraged to engage with the exhibitions and attend events, including opening receptions, curator’s tours, artists’ talks, panel discussions and more. Faculty can arrange for exhibition tours and talks, and other kinds of visits; please contact libby@ecuad.ca for details.

• Installations found on campus without approval will be removed at the student’s expense.
• When installing artwork, students are reminded to be respectful of others’ work. If there are items installed in a space that you have booked, please check with Community Bookings before removing the work.
• The university is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to students’ work. This includes work that may be damaged as a result of computer failure or faulty equipment.
  
• Stairwells must remain unobstructed for safe exiting at all times. If student work is found in stairwells, and constitutes a risk of safety to others or damage to university property, the Student Conduct Policy will be followed.
• Be sure to read How to Install Your Artwork prior to installing.

General information for Students

There are three time slots reserved for student-led exhibitions each year. These exhibitions are organized by the Student Exhibitions Committee, in partnership with the Exhibitions Office and the Emily Carr Students’ Union (ECSU). Calls for submission occur twice per year via the Student Exhibitions Committee. Stay tuned to their Instagram @ecustudentexhibitions as well as their website www.studentexhibitions.ca for more information on deadlines and opportunities.

A proposal is required for all exhibition submissions – and can be a daunting task, even for experienced artists! In general your proposal should contain the following:

Exhibition title Name(s) of curator(s) and key organizers (with contact information)

• Detailed curatorial statement outlining the thematic concept of the proposed exhibition.

• Names of all participants and an articulation of how their work addresses the exhibition concept.

• Images of work that will appear in the proposed exhibition (including titles and dimensions of artworks)

• A detailed description of the use of space

The Writing Centre offers free drop-in appointments and can assist with proposals and artist statements. Check their drop in hours, or make an appointment via their website.

Your proposal should contain the following:

• Exhibition title Name(s) of curator(s) and key organizers (with contact information)

• Detailed curatorial statement outlining the thematic concept of the proposed exhibition.

• Names of all participants and an articulation of how their work addresses the exhibition concept.

• Images of work that will appear in the proposed exhibition (including titles and dimensions of artworks)

• A detailed description of the use of space

Find more information on the Student Exhibitions Committee website.

IG: @ecustudentexhibitions
www.studentexhibitions.ca
studentexhibitions@ecuad.ca

The following information pertains to all students exhibiting their work on campus.

For installations that physically damage, change, or alter a space, you must consult a Gallery or Studio Technician before you begin your installation.

• Centre of work must be at 56″ from the floor
• No candles, flames or burning of materials of any kind.
• Flammable liquids and other hazardous materials are not permitted in your work.
• No live animals or insects are permitted in your work.
• Do not obscure or remove fire extinguishers, signage, security phones or any other safety equipment. These must be visible and accessible at all times.
• Do not cover or enclose the access to the electrical panels in any space.
• No installations are to be hung from pipes, duct work, sprinkler heads or light fixtures. Only structural pipes are to be used for suspending work.
• No installations are to be located at or within door entrances, elevators, stairwells or fire exits.
• Do not suspend or hang work upon or through the light wells/atriums.
• No installations are to be located in washrooms.
• No installations are to be hung upon, or interfere with, any support beams or ceiling panels.
• No unauthorized lighting fixtures (clamp lights, etc). Get permission before using specialty lighting of any kind.
• No installations are to compromise university HVAC systems. Install work only on walls with plywood backing. (See map)
• Screws must pass through drywall into a plywood wall, and not enter beyond 30mm. Use a power drill or screwdriver and appropriate length of screw fasteners with drill bit to hang your work. Consult with a Technician if not sure.
• Avoid using hammers and nails on temporary or free-standing walls.
• Do not use permanent felt markers or pens on walls as they bleed through the paint and are difficult to cover.
• When painting walls, use painters tape and drop sheets to keep the area clean.
• Paint walls with, Sherwin-Williams, Zero VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) water-based paint available at the Tool Checkout + Resale Materials.
• Do not paint or alter any of the following: light switches, electrical outlet covers, fire pull stations, room numbers, doors, windows, floors, thermostats, security phones, door jambs, baseboards, lights or light fixtures, air ducts, fire extinguishers, water fountains, wooden or metal beams, floors and carpets, thermostats, ceilings, temperature controls, metal corner guards.
• Tools for installing your work are available at the Tool Checkout + Resale Materials, but it is recommended to provide your own in case there is high demand for certain tools.
• The use of contractor table, mitre saws, and other similar power tools is prohibited outside of designated Technical Shop areas.
• All installation-related painting or spray painting must be done in any of the 3 ventilation booths in the school. 1st floor C1290 by the Tool Checkout, 3rd floor C3226 through room C3247 attached to the Design Wood Shop, 4th floor A4016 near Print Media.
• Drywall use is prohibited. Speak to Technical Services for alternate materials.
• Media Resources cannot accommodate exhibit lighting beyond the primary setup.
• For lighting needs, consult with a Gallery or Studio Technician. To minimize damage or injury, do not attempt to alter, change, or remove gallery lighting without proper training.
• Glue, double-sided carpet tape, and double-sided foam tape may NOT be used for installation. If you are unsure about the use of any installation materials please consult with the Exhibitions Technicians, prior to use. To ensure best practices, technicians are available to assist with installation.
• For 3D work, ensure that there is clearance of at least 5 feet around one side to allow safe passage for people in the area of your work. Also, be sure that there are no pointy parts at eye level that could injure people as they pass by.
• Any borrowed exhibition furniture, such as plinths, pedestals, tables, shelves, or risers must be returned to their original location when done.

IMPORTANT: It is your personal responsibility to use the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) whenever possible and inform yourself the current SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for the material products that you are using. If you have any questions, please reach out to your area Technician for consultation and support. PPE can be purchased from the Tool Checkout + Resale Materials.

REMEMBER: You are responsible for restoring the space back to its original condition after use. Plan ahead for this necessary step.

Spaces must be restored to their original condition at the time of deinstall.

Wall Repair Instructions

Holes, scores, gouges + dents:

• Remove all fasteners (nails, screws, pushpins, thumb tacks)
  
• For holes, push in any areas around hole that are sticking out from the wall
• Deposit enough filler onto a palette knife to fill hole
• Press filler into hole with knife and scrape off all excess filler with flat blade of palette knife at about a 30 degree angle
• For scores, gouges and dents, fill area with enough filler so that it has a very slight excess of filler
• Let dry
• Sand any remaining excess until flush with wall, Also sand any textured painted lines
• After sanding, sweep up and discard any drywall dust from the floor
• Erase all pencil marks
• Remove all temporary adhesives (tape, vinyl)

Before you start to paint:

• Protect the floor with a canvas drop sheet

There are two types of white paint used depending on what walls you are restoring. Talk to your Studio Technician to determine what paint to use.

• Paint area
• Be mindful of paint accidentally falling on the floor. If this happens, clean the splatter right away with a wet rag. Rinse and repeat, if
  necessary
• Clean up. Remove excess paint from brush and wash brush well

Please note some colours require multiple coats to be restored and it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to put aside enough time to patch and re-paint the walls.

Further guidance on filling, sanding, painting or clean up is available from your Studio Technician.

Tool, paint and clean up supplies are available through the Tool Checkout + Resale Materials.