NSCAD University, Canada’s oldest fine art degree granting university, is up against it and needs your help. The Friends of NSCAD University (“an ad hoc group of group of faculty, staff and alumni created to promote the continued existence of NSCAD University as one of Canada’s leading autonomous art and design institution,”) have circulated a letter (available on their Facebook group) announcing the recent appointment of Howard Windsor, former policy analyst with Labour and Advanced Education for Nova Scotia by the Minister of Advanced Education to examine the future of NSCAD University.
According to the Friends of NSCAD press release, “Mr. Windsor has been given an open mandate by the Minister to propose a fate for the school ranging from the termination of programs to wholesale or fragmented mergers with other provincial institutions.” It’s worth noting that these are not the only two outcomes possible. They continue, “2012 marks NSCAD University’s 125th birthday, and we need your support in ensuring another 125 years for one of North America’s leading autonomous art and design institutions.”
Why is this happening in the first place? Fine arts programs are expensive to offer, as they often need special equipment and smaller class sizes. For this and other reasons—some suggest the Port campus building was underfunded—NSCAD University has been operating at a deficit and requested the Province’s help and to renegotiate funding in order to even things out. Last year, Bill Hogg put on the case by the province to examine NSCAD’s financial situation. The report was never made public, but did garner some financial help from the province.
Windsor’s report is due late November, with an announcement of new funding formulas from the Province in December.
The Friends of NSCAD are asking that anyone interested in preserving NSCAD’s artistic legacy let the province of Nova Scotia know how important the institution is to both Halifax and the art world. Please let the Premier of Nova Scotia, Darrell Dexter ddexter.mla@gmail.com and the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Marilyn More marilynmoremla@ns.aliantzinc.ca know what this locally, nationally and internationally recognized university’s value is to you.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.
time to step up everyone!
I don’t think comments on facebook is going to cut it. Those that are actually interested really do need to contact Mr. Dexter and Ms.More. The idea of actually fragmenting this world renowned university is insane. I can’t imagine that a university is a business expected to turn a financial profit. Contact any Fine Arts College or university granting a degree and it will be obvious that they are not there to make a profit. Instead of discontinuing this very fine organization it should be of vital importance to the government to enlarge the programs or at the very least bring back the Art Ed. Degree.
A study recently commissioned by The Club of Rome predicts that if NSCAD were to close at end of term 2012, Nova Scotia’s barista reserves would be 95% depleted by 2015. This is serious stuff, people!
A better question would be why is this still happening. Because this same damn freakout happens every 5 years or so.
NSCAD is without a doubt a gem to the city of Halifax. As a ’05 graduate I take pride in knowing that I was fortunate enough to have been able to experience such a historic treasure. The campus oozes character with twisting and turning staircases, like rabbit holes that take you through the historic burrows of this creative landmark. The air alone that fills NSCAD’s studios makes a person want to express their artistic expression.
Sadly, things change. And when NSCAD University bought the Pier space I saw it as an attempt for the college to increase profits. Unfortunately it was a bite too big for them to chew. I think it’s ridiculous to think post secondary institutions should not make a profit. They need to aside from up keep, bursaries, scholarships, school trips, and so on it is still a business, and to survive businesses need income to survive. The problem lies in how it is done.
With a reputation such as NSCAD’s it’s intimate charm, history and highly trained staff are all elements that make young artist want to learn, they want to learn from the best. Young creative minds across the globe know of NSCAD and most dream to attend. I think the Nova Scotia government needs to evaluate what are contributing factors to giving the city of Halifax a bigger mark on the map. It has historic charm, sits along one of the largest natural harbors lined by a historic Pier for ships to dock at take in the sights of Atlantic Canada. There are museums, beautiful parks, great restaurants, theaters, art galleries and an art college that has a strong past and adds culture and artistic expression to the community. It enriches the lives of those who live in and who come to visit this great city. Why would the government of Nova Scotia want to let something that makes Halifax unique, slip away?
How did NSCAD get into a financial mess ?
Poor management? Who’s running the show over there anyway.
World renowned? Hell can anyone name ANY world renowned art institutes other than those on matchbooks, comics, and scandal sheets? If NSCAD closed down would anyone notice or care?
They really need to tap into their alumni and start getting some endowments up and running. But then, I wonder how many people graduate from NSCAD and start making moolah. In the particular institution I work in, *ahem*, they have policy of not borrowing for capital projects. They fundraise, fundraise, fundraise until they have the $ to take on teh projects they need. NSCAD, needs some serious fundraising, you can’t depend on provincial funding.
One of the reasons my family moved to Halifax from London, England, was that there is a vibrant arts community here, that is kept alive by NSCAD. It’s an essential part of what makes Halifax an interesting and diverse city. Partnerships aren’t necessarily damaging – but the quality of work and artistic vitality of the organization must not be lost.
Trust me ralmn, they pester the alumni on a regular basis. I have a new letter to shred every few months.
Somehow, I think we’ll survive.
http://russcon.org/RussCon/2003/0430poker.…
BE THERE! Gary Markle is helping organize this tomorrow: “If you love NSCAD U please join us Tue. Nov. 8 at 12noon in the Granville Mall for a video letter to the world to show support for NSCAD U’s continued independence. The resulting video will be uploaded to You Tube to share, and hopefully be responded to!”
If it can’t survive financially, let it close down. No taxpayer money should be shovelled into this pit.
If the university cannot made a run of it and keep their books out of the red, let it go under. Another big university will buy them up for cheap. It’s a simple business model, obviously beyond the understanding of those with an arts background. So long NSCAD.
the city needs art to be beautiful, nature needs nothing.
I think the NSCAD hierarchy’s proposal to leave downtown ill fits with the reports that the institution is itself under threat!
http://www.thecoast.ca/ArtAttack/archives/…
I am reminded of the Parkinson’s Law of custom-built HQs which states that organisations moving into palatial HQs are themselves about to be made redundant!
http://www.american-buddha.com/parkinsonla…
iain T.