Bill Barker, Chair of the NSCAD Board of Governors, announced today that Professor David B. Smith has accepted the appointment of NSCAD’s interim president, effective September 1, 2025.
A NSCAD alumnus, David is well known as a passionate advocate for the application of creative thinking skills to academic disciplines beyond the arts. He served as NSCAD’s president from 2006 – 2012 when he raised a record $9 million for the university. This included $3.4 million to establish the Creative Innovators of Tomorrow fund, which provides full tuition scholarships for 20 NSCAD students. He also established the Student Art Awards and the Faculty Research Fund, revitalized Extended Studies programming, and introduced Community Service Learning — initiatives that continue to enrich student experience and strengthen connections with the broader community.
“During this time of transition in leadership, strategic priorities, and campus planning, NSCAD is fortunate to have access to David’s extensive experience as we continue to support student success,” Barker says.
Since joining NSCAD’s faculty as a full professor in 2012, David has taught in the Sculpture program with a strong focus on teaching Introductory Sculpture to incoming students. He has served as Director of the Master of Art in Art Education program since 2022. For more than a dozen years he has led an externally funded educational program in South Africa at the University of Cape Town where he is an Honorary Research Associate.
Prior to his tenure as president of NSCAD, David served in key academic and administrative leadership roles at the University of San Diego in California for over a decade, ranging from Chair of the Department of Art to Special Assistant to the Provost.
“I would like to thank NSCAD’s Chief Financial Officer Leanne Dowe, who graciously took on the interim president role (in addition to continuing to serve as CFO) for July and August,” Barker says.
The presidential search committee is making good progress, adds Barker, who sits on the search committee. Input from its consultations with the NSCAD community has been invaluable to inform the position profile. The opportunity has been posted online and will be posted through post-secondary, arts, and academic publications in the coming weeks. NSCAD hopes to announce the successful candidate in early 2026.