Coffee, Art, and Coast-to-Coast Experience: A Q+A with Dr. Stephen Runge
With a career that spans piano performance, teaching, and administration—not to mention a high school art career that still lives on in his parents’ home—Dr. Stephen Runge brings creativity, curiosity, and coast-to-coast Canadian experience to his new role as Director of the School of Art and Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba.
We caught up with him for a little rapid fire Q+A to learn more about his background, early impressions, and yes, even his favourite time of day (spoiler: it’s a tie).
From Music to Mixed Media
Best known as a pianist and educator, Dr. Runge’s relationship with the arts has always extended beyond the concert hall.
“I’ve played piano since I was six, and I’ve spent my professional life balancing teaching, administration, and performance,” he says. “But I also took visual art throughout high school—my parents are still proudly displaying some of my Grade 11 and 12 pieces in their home in Ontario.”
While his love of visual art isn’t new, this role is a chance to go deeper. “I’ve always enjoyed connecting what was happening in visual art to what musicians were doing at the same time. Now I get to become a more knowledgeable art lover and supporter—learning from my colleagues here at the School of Art.”
Big Picture Goals
Even in his early days, Runge has been struck by the creativity and care that shape the School.
“The BFA show blew me away,” he says. “The work, the thoughtfulness, the level of commitment from students, staff, and faculty alike—it’s clear there’s something really special happening here. My goal is to help make sure that this excellence is seen and celebrated across Canada—and beyond, and to draw even larger numbers of developing artists to come study with our faculty here at UM.”
Okay, Rapid-Fire Round (We asked. He answered. Quickly.)
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee, though only before noon. If you see me with one later in the day, it’s probably not a great sign.
Q: Favourite time of day?
A: Either very early in the morning—when the sun’s just starting to rise and everything’s quiet—or late at night when the world slows down again. The problem, of course, is that those two don’t mix well!
Q: Office item you can’t live without?
A: A notepad—for scribbling reminders and to-do lists throughout the day.
Q: Music, podcast, or silence while working?
A: Music—usually classical if I’m working in the office.
Q: A hobby or passion totally unrelated to art or music?
A: Cooking and wine tasting.
Q: Favourite restaurant you’ve tried in Winnipeg?
A: So far, besides Subway, Tim Hortons, and a hotel restaurant, my one proper dinner out has been at Oxbow—taken there by a former piano student of mine (now a UM med school grad). It was fantastic.
Q: First gallery you visited here?
A: The School of Art Gallery, naturally! The recent Jon Sasaki exhibition was great.
Q: An artwork that moved you?
A: Alfredo Jaar’s The End of the World at KINDL Gallery in Berlin. Unforgettable.
Q: An artist or musician everyone should know?
A: Pianist Stephen Hough. His arrangements are incredibly clever—try his take on My Favourite Things or his wildly theatrical version of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Q: A book you always recommend?
A: Jan Swafford’s Brahms: A Biography, or Saturday by Ian McEwan.
Q: Best part of being at the School of Art so far?
A: Being surrounded by inspired visuals. It’s a refreshing contrast to the joyful chaos of a music school, where everyone’s practicing something different at once.
Q: One-word students would use to describe you?
A: Tough. (Though I hope they’d also say “fair.”)
Q: Go-to advice for students?
A: Take full advantage of everything this place offers—it’s so much more than just what happens in the classroom.
Q: Finally…what’s more stressful: tuning an instrument or hanging a group show?
A: I can’t do either!
(But let’s be honest—it’s definitely hanging a group show. No one argues over violin height. Then again… we at SOA might be a little biased.)
A Coast-to-Coast Creative
Born in Saskatchewan, Dr. Runge has studied and worked across Canada—from BC to Quebec, Ontario to the East Coast—and now, Manitoba.
“In these times of heightened Canadian patriotism,” he says, “I’m proud to have performed and lived from coast to coast. A trip to the North is now on my bucket list.”
Welcome to the School of Art, Dr. Runge—we’re glad you’re here.
(P.S. We owe you a proper Winnipeg restaurant list—Subway doesn’t count.)
