Professor Wayne McKenna,
Executive Dean, College of Arts
Surely that is not art he is posing in front of?
It's gone public. The Sydney Morning Herald journalist Harriet Alexander reported on October 9 that UWS School of Communication Arts, which is governed by the College of Arts, is cutting their art school. Read it here
The Penrith Press reports about how the Performance degree in the same school is witnessing its "final curtain" as Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Professor Wayne McKenna, has axed the program due to his official line: "Student numbers in these programs have been falling steadily in recent times... As a result these courses are running at a loss totalling more than $1 million in 2006." Read it here
We'd ike to see some evidence to back up those claims, Professor McKenna. It's interesting McKenna doesn't mention how he has made it increasingly difficult for the Fine Arts, Electronic Arts, and Performance degrees to be sustainable. Because of their specialist facilities and technical requirement, they obviously require specific resources, staffing, and so on. Program areas will rent its own allocated space from the College in 2007. (We apologise for getting our earlier facts wrong when we said this had already taken effect. Thanks to our source for pointing this out). It remains to be seen, then, which programs - especially those with specialist facilities - will be able to afford the rent. Really, who has ever heard of a university renting space unto itself?
We'd like to see how the College of Arts can argue that the community television station it hosts TVS - that is not even available digitally - can be sustainable in terms of audience interest and revenue. UWS continues to foster a culture of mediocrity. Cut the arts and champion poorly produced community TV that until recently was headed by a design academic who had no background or expertise in television.
posted by UWS Arts at 6:59 AM
6 Comments:
Its inteesting that you have to RENT the facilities. Is the School trying to pay off the debt on the Performance building.Perhaps the Uni needs to be more pro-active in paying off this beautiful building. Couldn't they try seasons of renting it to companies eg the Australian Opera, Bell Shakespeare co, Graham Murphy's dance co, or something. Its such a magnificent building, it seems a pity not to use it more fully. Do other Art Schools have to RENT facilities from their Uni's-eg, SCA, COFA or NAS. It doesnt seem fair to take the money out of the teaching funds. Current staff and students shouldnt have to pay for the extravagant tastes of the past.
Prof McKenna could be more open about the allocation of spending, and he may get more support to deal with problems he may have inherited.
Axing whole courses is not the answer.
What a pity about TVS.
I didnt realise it was at UWS. It would be great to have a show about art practises on it- someithing along the lines of the unpretentious ART 21.
Or one that shows how art processes are carried out. Like the nice lady making Chicken Vindaloo, only about Art.
It could also do with some more Music composition students, and some Electronic Artistry in the intros! Its a pity these various disciplines can't support each other and collaborate. This might be a very good way to increase student numbers, rather than destroy a long standing workshop practice that the Art school represents
Except that TVS produces banal rubbish. The collaboration would be surface and bogus and a TOTAL distraction from the work of producing complex and engaging art. Just more industry rubbish thats got nothing to do with making ART that rocks the world and just plays into the hand of the misadventure that is TVS.
TVS has tried to get students involved in the content produced. There was a Student Movie Show, where students from UWS along with other young folk discussed short films made by students. I think it lasted for an episode or two. Does anyone know if any other TVS content featuring students in front of working behind the camera? I'm assuming students involved so far have been from the media production degrees.
There was an art program hosted by Naomi McCarthy from Penrith Regional Gallery. I have no idea how many episodes were produced... I haven't seen it though and can't comment on whether it's good. (I tried to tune in to TVS and all I get is really bad signal, and I live in western Sydney!)
If TVS website included any info on the content it produces more people may watch it! From what I can see, TVS seems to be just showing way too much free Public Domain material (forgotten zzz grade movies and the like!)
And when will TVS sign up to the Foxtel network? Aurora has and that's community TV!
But as a student I want to study contemporary art not crappy commercial TV making. Turn that rubbish off I say and go back to the studio elpronto.
I've watched TVS on and off, and have only seen a couple of UWS student-involved programs, such as a short film/animation program. I doubt Fine Arts students really get a look into the channel at all.
Though, showcasing contemporary art in the west there was 'Naomi's Wonderground', which as far as I know had several episodes at the start of the year but no more since. It was pretty good, and included artists such as ex-UWS student Raquel Ormella.
I agree that the website needs a huge makeover, it's basically a tv guide with no extra info, and it does appear that most of the programs are from different states, which is a shame.
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