Dr. Curtis Collins welcomed as new chair of Yukon School of Visual Arts

DAWSON CITY – Yukon College is pleased to welcome Dr. Curtis Collins as the new program director and chair of the Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in Dawson City.

Collins is a well-respected curator and gallery director who has successfully revitalised a number of public art galleries in cities across Canada – most recently the Dunlop Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Alongside his curatorial and managerial experience, Collins has instructed at a number of universities and colleges including the First Nations University in Regina, Sault College, Trent University, University of Lethbridge, and McGill University.

“Dr. Collins brings a wealth of experience in teaching, community outreach and fundraising to SOVA and Yukon College, as well as excellent relationships across the visual art world,” said Dr. Deb Bartlette, dean of Applied Arts and interim Associate Vice President Academic at Yukon College. “He is a ‘builder’ and that is what we need to help grow our programming and take SOVA to the next level.”

Collins will begin his new position on February 4th.

"I believe SOVA has incredible potential to expand its reach and attract greater numbers of students from across North America and around the world," said Collins.

"Attracting artists to teach and share their work with our students is just as important. I have already received many calls from friends in the Canadian art world who are eager for an opportunity to visit SOVA. Dawson City is certainly very well positioned in the national cultural consciousness."

Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA)
SOVA is an art college accredited through Yukon College. Students who successfully complete its Foundation Year Program receive a visual arts certificate from Yukon College and may block transfer this certificate into a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at any of the five Canadian art colleges and institutions partnered with Yukon College.

The Foundation Year Program is offered in partnership with the Dawson City Arts Society, Yukon College and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in through a cooperation agreement signed in 2005. SOVA is governed by a governance council comprising these partners.
In 2012, the Government of Yukon announced $1.42 million in funding for SOVA to continue its fine arts curriculum for a further three years.

For more information about SOVA, visit www.yukonsova.ca or www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/programs/info/va.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Jacqueline Bedard
Director
College Relations
Yukon College
867.456.8619
jbedard@yukoncollege.yk.ca