Emily Carr: student life on campus

The 411

If I wrote the school motto:“Our greatest natural resource is our creativity”Best place for a nap:The couches on the middle floor of the libraryBest cheap lunch:La Taqueria has amazing authentic tacosBest hangover breakfast:The Wallflower offers delicious comfort foodFavourite campus food:The yam fries at LoafeBest bar for hanging out:The Boxcar has a great selection of craft beers and cocktailsBest place to live:The Mount Pleasant neighbourhood because it is very close to campus and has a diverse, art-based communityBest place to study:The library’s quiet areaBest live music venue:The Avant-Garden! Fellow Emily Carr student Sam Herle helped open this venue.Weirdest tradition:Students cramming into the three elevators on campus just minutes before their classes are about to startBest campus event:Coffee Night, where students can watch fellow classmates perform music, poetry and moreBest giveaway:Free planner, pins, Emily Carr-themed writing utensilsWhat surprised me most about the school:How the neutral, white-walled interior affects my moodIf I could change one thing about the school:Elevators that are not situated at the centre of campus

PROFILE: Emily Carr University of Art + Design | Vancouver, B.C. | Founded 1925

Following a massive expansion project, Emily Carr University has just recently opened the doors of its new and vibrant Great Northern Way campus located in Vancouver’s hip Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. It’s nestled on a high slope near False Creek, offering irresistible and expansive views of the North Shore mountains, downtown and East Vancouver.

ECUAD’s new campus is stunningly chic and architectural. With its minimal design, the interior mimics the concept of a contemporary art museum. Student artwork enlivens the white walls. The multitude of hallways may make navigation confusing to newcomers, but they will inevitably adapt to its structure.

The university strongly promotes self-expression, individuality and diversity. We have amazing professors who encourage theoretical thinking to broaden your knowledge about everything art-related. Class sizes are rather small, providing a more intimate learning environment that fosters spirited discussion.

ECUAD is a trove of resources, the heart of which is the library. Situated on the bottom floor of the library is an absolute gem: the artists’ book room, where students can make appointments to access original works of the masters, such as Goya.

What I probably enjoy the most about ECUAD is that it supports students’ agency—even over the space itself. This is clear from its endless student-run exhibitions and events. The exhibitions help other students stay inspired.

After ClassThe main cafeteria, Loafe Café, is located on the main floor, offering healthy hipster fare; it’s normally the busiest area on campus. ECUAD has the Read Bookstore, home to tons of art-related books as well as significant course material. The Libby Leshgold Gallery is beside Read; it always holds intriguing exhibitions. The Oasis Student Wellness Lounge hosts de-stressing activities such as dog therapy and meditation. They also provide free breakfast on some occasions.

Local VibeEmily Carr is situated between the city’s two biggest hipster hot spots, Main Street and Commercial Drive. This is the heart of Vancouver’s music and arts scene that includes a disproportionate number of Emily Carr students. When we’re not complaining about rent or the weather, we are enjoying the lush foliage and exploring the city’s diverse culture.

More InfoEmily Carr’s student publication: WooPublication.ca.