WSROC Media Release 15 December 2007

Councils act against UWS abandoning Arts courses

A taskforce comprising Councillors and senior staff from councils across Western Sydney have resolved to consider alternative options for the provision of tertiary arts education in the region in the wake of the University of Western Sydney’s decision to suspend intake to its sole remaining contemporary arts degree in 2008.

WSROC President, Clr Tony Hay, who is the Chair of the taskforce which was established by WSROC at the request of the Mayors of WSROC member councils, said that he was extremely disappointed but not surprised by the University’s decision.

“The suspension of the contemporary arts degree is just the final step in the University’s dismantling of its provision of performing and visual arts training”, he said.

“In the space of just a few years, the University has reduced its once vibrant contribution to the
region’s cultural development to a single, generic contemporary arts degree – and then suspended even that course,” Clr Hay said.

Clr. Tony Hay said that “following discussion with other Western Sydney Mayors the consensus was that the UWS had betrayed several of its basic principles that we had supported for its establishment.”

“I note that the University says that it proposes to re-write the course and to offer it again in some form in 2009 but I am entirely pessimistic about its future. The University has already commenced the disposal of much of its dedicated visual arts equipment and plans to turn the purpose-built performing and visual arts facilities over to other uses.” Clr Hay said.

“Even if a new course is offered in 2009, I understand it will be based entirely on computer design and technologies.

Clr Hay acknowledged that State Government and all councils across the region recognise the need for a strong commitment to the arts and cultural development and stated that “millions of dollars had been invested in developing cultural infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, it appears, Western Sydney can no longer rely on the University to provide training for the artists and performers from our region to create the cultural content to complement this infrastructure,” Clr Hay said.

Clr Hay stated “Greater Western Sydney’s total population of 1.8 million is larger than that of Perth (1.5 million).

He added “However, in 2006 in four Perth universities alone over 7,600 full-time students were offered and studied creative arts (that included visual and performing arts studies in 39 courses), compared to only 2,300 full-time creative arts positions made available by UWS in Western Sydney.

Indeed he added “Students could only select visual and performing arts studies from the University of Western Sydney’s four courses.

This disgraceful lack of opportunity in Western Sydney will increase in 2008 with the further planned cuts by the University of Western Sydney.

Western Sydney's geographical distances, transport problems and socio-economic disadvantage
already places serious challenges on our artists and makes accessing inner city arts school extremely difficult, even if places could be offered.

“Western Sydney now has no university-based visual or performing arts training.

“The University’s decision has forced our taskforce to seriously consider alternative options for the provision of this training to our region.

“We have commenced discussions with other Universities and institutions to provide tertiary arts training courses and opportunities for Western Sydney”, Clr Hay concluded.

Contact: WSROC President: Clr Tony Hay, 0422 508 975
Acting Executive Director: Ms Sharon Fingland, 02 9671 4333, 0417 239 539

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