ECAL+ is a foundation that was created upon Pierre Keller’s initiative (director of the ECAL/Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne from 1995 to 2011) and which is in charge of finding the necessary funds to furnish the ECAL - that will move to Renens/Lausanne in September 2007 - with the best possible installations.
This challenge will allow to create a unique center of competence in the middle of western Lausanne. This bet would never have been possible without the support of the Vaud Government who decided the relocation of the ECAL into an old factory and, after a unanimous approval on December 21, 2005, granted an amount of CHF 4'910'000.- to equip the building which will be renovated by the architect Bernard Tschumi.
This important amount shows the Canton’s will to allow its Art and Design University to pursue its mission in excellent conditions and to equip the institution with top material that will guarantee attractive education, such as masters, develop research & developpment and increase its reputation both on national and on international levels. This project would probably not even have started without the support of the EPFL and the City of Renens that will occupy some spaces in the new building.
Also, the elac (Lausanne space for contemporary art) will move into the Renens new premises. With a surface of 550 m2, this non-profit-making gallery will become one of the largest ones belonging to a school. It will then become a prestigious showcase for contemporary art and design in our Canton. It is also an essential research tool to achieve the mandate granted to Art and Design universities.
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