Calgary, AB -- September 12, 2006: The Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Calgary will open its new, state-of-the-art multimedia laboratory today thanks to a $100,000 gift from NBC Universal Canada. Located in the Art Building, sixth floor, the new NBC Universal Canada Multimedia Lab will enhance the Faculty's creative approach to art that integrates traditional art forms with new multimedia techniques and technologies. The unveiling will take place at the new Lab at 10:30am MDT.
"GE Canada is proud to support innovative and meaningful educational programs," notes Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada. "Programs of this kind are essential in fostering imagination and technical innovation. NBC Universal is one of our 6 GE businesses and we are proud to be a part of this ceremony."
In 2005, NBC Universal Canada, a diverse entertainment company, contributed $100,000 to the Faculty of Fine Arts for a new media lab. Through matching provincial infrastructure grants and internal funds, a total of $275,000 has gone to the development of the facility, which includes the relocation of its current 20-station Integrated Arts Media Lab to an adjacent space and the purchase of some state-of-the-art equipment for the NBC Lab.
"The timing for this gift is remarkable," notes the Faculty of Fine Arts' Dean Ann Calvert, "it comes at a time when we are making some major upgrades to our facilities. Our students have been asking for more opportunities to work in the digital arts, and the NBC Universal Canada Multimedia Lab gives us the opportunity to present new interdisciplinary courses for all of our students."
Equipped with 11 Mac Pro Quad Core systems and 23" displays, 88-key music keyboards, high resolution scanners, a large format colour printer, a portable 8-channel audio system, and the latest software tools that artists are using to create digital media, the new NBC Universal Canada Multimedia Lab will be a remarkable facility for students, faculty and the community. Serving as a research lab for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty, and a secondary teaching space, the new lab will also feature a full-spectrum lighting environment allowing for round-the-clock use.
The NBC Universal Canada gift for the new facility also provided the infrastructure and the impetus for the University to hire a new professor. Jean-René Leblanc, Professor of Digital Arts, formerly of L'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, started his new position in July 2006 and will be using the NBC Lab for much of his teaching and creative research. Leblanc says "I came to the University of Calgary because their vision was to create a new interdisciplinary digital arts program, and I liked how they were combining the traditional arts with new digital technologies to help create the artist of the future. This facility will give our students the tools they need to achieve their goals."
NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Universal is 80 percent owned by General Electric, with 20 percent controlled by Vivendi Universal. Universal Studios Canada is a division of NBC Universal.
GE is Imagination at Work---a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.ca
Since the U of C was founded in 1966 and the first degrees were awarded to Fine Arts graduates, the Faculty of Fine Arts has seen over 3,800 alumni pursue artistic and creative lives in Calgary and abroad. Of those graduates, over 75% are still living in Alberta, and over 50% have remained in Calgary as active performers, artists, arts administrators, educators, composers and theorists, among other pursuits and careers in and outside the arts. Its undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts are recognized for depth and breadth, especially in studio and performing arts practices. It also boasts some of the finest performing arts facilities in Western Canada including the internationally recognized Rozsa Centre.
Ian Warwick
Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Calgary
(403) 220-5496
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Kim Warburton
GE Canada
(905) 858-5678
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Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
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1-518-786-6488