NSCAD introduces its new Campaign team

Marking a major step on its transformational journey towards a consolidated campus at the Halifax Seaport, NSCAD’s President Shannon is introducing the team who will run its upcoming capital campaign.  

The team, which will be in place by mid-October, includes: 

• Kara Holm, Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO)  
• Isa Spalding, Ambassador for Art + Design  
• Holly Dunn, Campaign Ambassador  
• Jason Fuerst, Campaign Coordinator  

“The campaign team will be ambassadors for this great institution and for the future of art and design in Canada,” says President Dr. Peggy Shannon. “By telling our stories and promoting our successes, they will inspire individuals, governments, corporations, and foundations to support our vision to create a new arts district at the Halifax Seaport, unify our campuses and expand our extraordinary programming for students and faculty.”   

“I am honoured to become NSCAD’s Chief Philanthropy Officer,” says Kara Holm. “President Shannon and I have worked intensively over the last two years to create a culture of philanthropy at NSCAD, increasing our charitable donations by over 250%. We have both witnessed overwhelming support for NSCAD. We have many alumni, friends and supporters around the world, and the next six years will represent a critical phase in engaging their support.” 

Developing the historic Halifax Seaport and supporting the Seriously Creative Strategic Plan 

Over the next six years, this team, along with an extensive network of alumni champions, will fundraise for the two phases of the port reunification project: the first, a $25 million renovation of the existing Port Campus; and the second, the development of the consolidated campus in Halifax Port’s sheds 22 and 23, with an estimated construction budget of $75 million.

“NSCAD has known for a long time that campus renewal was necessary. Over the past 10 years, we have assessed the many options, finally determining that the Seaport was the best location for NSCAD’s next chapter.  One of the reasons NSCAD has remained at the forefront of art, craft and design is because it is willing to adapt to the times. This time the stakes are different. NSCAD has never attempted to raise this kind of capital before in such a short period of time. That’s why I asked for a dedicated team of experienced fundraisers, people with solid connections to the world of art and design and people who are expert storytellers. With this team we will connect with the individuals, corporations and foundations who understand the impact of NSCAD in the past and present and want to invest in our future. This is how we will realize our university’s ambitious plans for future,” says Dr. Shannon. 

Holm’s new role enables her to focus on raising the funds for this transformational project, and to align the campaign team’s work to support NSCAD’s commitment to achieving the three pledges of President Shannon’s six-year Seriously Creative Strategic Plan: developing a student-centred art and design education, establishing an equitable and inclusive university, and creating a destination campus for creatives locally, nationally, and internationally.  

“We realize our consolidation at the port is essential to our future. However, we also know that what happens inside those buildings is of the utmost importance,” says Holm. “Faculty and students receiving more support, increasing the quality of education and learning opportunities, providing access and removing barriers for talented students, and bringing NSCAD back onto the world stage are our ultimate goals.” 

The team will work out of a custom campaign office at the Seaport, 1113 Marginal Road, Suite 150, which officially opens this week. Holm is currently recruiting campaign consultants to support the “back of house” aspects of the campaign, including research. None of the costs of the campaign team are from the university’s operating budget; the campaign will be paid for through a gift designed to enhance the assets of NSCAD.