VISUAL CONNECTIONS PROJECT: Creative Start Workshop Winter 2009 Update

BIOGRAPHY

Gerard McNeil brings a diverse background to his present role as Education and Outreach Curator with Veith Street Gallery Studio Association where he facilitates community based arts education and professional development programs through the Visual Connections Project for persons with disabilities, community service providers and educators. Over the past twenty-seven years, Gerard has been engaged in a visual arts practice with exhibitions in Halifax, Toronto and St John’s. Along with his experiences in the visual arts, Gerard has been facilitating adult and community arts education programs for more than thirteen years. Paralleling this experience is some eleven years’ experience in the Human Services field working with persons with disabilities.

Informing these experiences is an equally diverse educational background that includes a Certificate in Photography from the Halifax Regional Vocational School (NSCC), a BFA in Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, a Certificate in Adult Education from Henson College (Dalhousie University), a B.Ed - Visual Arts Specialist degree from NSCAD and Mount Saint Vincent University. Gerard also possesses an M.Ed in Adult Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Certificate in Non-Profit Sector Management from Henson College (Dalhousie University), and is a Certified PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) Practitioner. Along with these credentials, Gerard has also completed the Tatamagouche Model of Education, Design and Leadership program (Levels One and Two), as well as participated in the Shambhala Institute for Authentic Leadership.