Students at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to $194,000 in capital funding that is part of government's investment in B.C.'s post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The upgrade work at the Granville Island campus will ensure campus facilities are maintained and repaired to ensure optimal facility conditions, which is important to keep our campuses in top operating shape.

B.C. taxpayers are providing $13.5 million for Emily Carr University of Art + Design operations this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance - up from $11.5 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the university has increased 17.5 per cent since 2003-04.

Close to $6 million in capital investments have been made at the university since 2001, including funding for the renovation of the Mitchell Building and the Granville Island campus and the addition of a digital studio of art, media and design.

Quotes:

Mary McNeil, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek -

"This $194,000 capital investment will go a long way in helping Emily Carr continue to provide Vancouver students with more options for training, studying, and pursuing careers in the arts."

Ron Burnett, president, Emily Carr University of Art + Design -

"This capital funding is essential and extremely important in helping us to maintain a solid foundation and competitive environment to support our students in receiving the highest calibre of a post-secondary creative education in Canada."

Funding for B.C. post-secondary institutions:

• $23.7 billion - amount of money invested in post-secondary education in B.C. since 2001.
• 57 per cent - the increase in total operating funding since 2001 across the university sector, along with a 26 per cent increase in total operating funding for the college and institute sector since 2001.
• $1.9 billion - the amount invested in support of post-secondary education this year.
• $10,090 - amount per full-time student funded by the provincial government, up from $8,440 in 2001-02.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400