ARTlab opens: A ‘celebration of creativity at U of M’ Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 2:47 PM   NEWS   The official opening of the ARTlab took place April 12 as the last of seven Knowledge Infrastructure projects constructed at the U of M. President David Barnard and Vice-President (External) John Kearsey were joined at the state-of-the-art centre for creative design and performing arts by the Honourable Erin Selby, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, Rod Bruinooge, MP Winnipeg South, U of M students, faculty and staff and Paul Hess, director, School of Art. “With the addition of the School of Art Gallery and ARTlab we will be well-placed to make major contributions to research at the U of M and greatly enhance the cultural life of those living in Winnipeg and surrounding region,” said Hess. The new Art Research Technology (ART) lab is a multidisciplinary art and technology centre. The ARTlab project supports Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy through the creation of state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories and classrooms that will assist in attracting, retaining and training students at the university. The stunning, LEED Silver world-class space was designed by Patkau Architects of Vancouver. Principal John Patkau is a graduate of the U of M Faculty of Architecture. Greg Boothroyd, Associate with Patkau Architects, was the lead architectural consultant on the ARTlab project, and David Kressock, another U of M architecture graduate, with LM Architectural Group in Winnipeg, provided local support on the project. President Barnard called it “a physical manifestation of the talent of our alumni, the commitment of our faculty and staff and the generosity of our funding partners.” The president also thanked the U of M administration who played key roles in the development of the project, as well as government partners. The project was made possible thanks to over $30 million in support from the governments of Canada and Manitoba. “A community is as strong and as vibrant as the art it creates and nurtures, said Dr. Barnard. “By successfully completing this space, we are ensuring the vibrancy of our community of learning, discovery and engagement — today, tomorrow and well into the future. “This project is especially exciting because it is the beginning of the process of creating world-class spaces for culture and creativity. By bringing all of these talented people together in the best possible spaces, we are creating an exciting new hub for culture and creativity on the Prairies,” he said. New School of Art gallery curator Mary Reid said that it was a true milestone event. She called the past decade “Winnipeg’s turn in the sun,” as it has been acknowledged internationally that Winnipeg currently has one of the most exciting art scenes around. “The School of Art plays a big role in this recognition since it has produced so many of the talented Winnipeg artists that are gaining significant critical attention nationally and internationally. The placement of the gallery at the front of the ARTlab is very important because it becomes a gateway for every student, instructor and visitor to the ARTlab — a gateway which will provoke the exchange of ideas and creative exploration,” she added. The opening event featured a student jazz ensemble from the Faculty of Music, a display of art featuring student artists and a painting by student Jade Troost commissioned by the U of M for the event. The piece was signed by U of M and government officials and several students from the School of Art. John Kearsey, Vice-President (External), lauded the creativity represented at the U of M, and thanked the students who participated. “This is a very exciting time to be at the University of Manitoba. We are undergoing transformational change in the spaces where we live, work, and study, discover and play,” he said. Next on the agenda is completion of the transformation of Taché Hall into the permanent home of the Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music and U of M schools of theatre and film.   For more information, contact: Mariianne Mays Wiebe Editor, The Bulletin Marketing Communications Office bulletin@umanitoba.ca Phone: (204) 474-8111 Fax: (204) 474-7631