SAVE UWS ARTS

2008-04-18T19:42:00.002+10:00

Artswipe Swipes Again!

Thanks to The Artswipe for emailing us about her newest post, which suggests that Western Sydney regional galleries should stop involving UWS academics in their events given there is no endoresement of art now at the uni. Good one Artswipe! Read it HERE.

2008-04-18T19:39:00.001+10:00

Mayors push for another uni in west

Harriet Alexander Higher Education Reporter
Sydney Morning Herald
April 18, 2008

MAYORS in Sydney's west are pushing for a second university in the region because they say the University of Western Sydney is cutting vital courses, reducing staff and failing to meet demand from students.

The president of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Tony Hay, said the region needed more university places to meet the growth in population, now 1.8 million.

"And if that means a second university in Western Sydney, so be it," said Mr Hay, who is also Mayor of Baulkham Hills.

South Australia, which has a smaller population, is served by three universities, he said.

The University of Western Sydney has six campuses, including Hawkesbury, Penrith, Bankstown, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Blacktown, but it announced last year it was winding up courses at the Blacktown campus.

It has cut its performing and fine arts programs and is rationalising its nursing program by moving places from Bankstown to the other three campuses where it is offered.

The university has also embarked on a voluntary redundancy program among academic staff, raising concerns about its already high staff to student ratio.

Leo Kelly, the Mayor of Blacktown, has asked the federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, to fund a restructure that would allow courses to continue at Blacktown, western Sydney's most populous postcode, and failing that, to build another university in the area.

"Our message to them was that the university had been dismantled by stealth and really needed to be restructured, with this Government's policy in mind, to allow people from this region to get an education," Cr Kelly said.

The university was only set up after lobbying by Blacktown Council, he said. "They've betrayed us."

Ms Gillard promised to send a policy adviser to assess problems at the university, he said.

Representatives from 11 councils, including Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Penrith, Hawkesbury and Campbelltown, met the university's vice chancellor, Janice Reid, last week to discuss their concerns.

Professor Reid said the meeting was a watershed for the university's alliances with local government, but there were always a few mayors among the 14 councils in the university's catchment who were unhappy with its direction.

Professor Reid said the university had closed its Blacktown campus because few students were studying there and it was moving its nursing places as part of a broader program to concentrate courses at a few campuses where it could build critical mass.

2008-04-13T18:29:00.002+10:00

UWS Artists & Exhibitionists Have a Massive Week!

Click on image to enlarge

On Wednesday night (9 April) Mori Gallery opened a large group exhibition given over to artists hailing from University of Western Sydney's art school. The show runs until 26 April. Check it out - it's amazing!

Bent Western Live on Stage
Image: Anastasia Zaravinos

On Saturday night (14 April), Blacktown Arts Centre hosted Bent Western: Live on Stage - a night of queer cabaret mayhem to celebrate the closing of the exhibition Bent Western, a group exhibition predominantly made up of queer artists who had studied at the UWS art school over the years. The live show last night was an absolute hoot and among the 21 performers were UWS alumni Anastasia Zaravinos, Liam Benson, Sari TM Kivinen, Tim Hilton, Daniel Mudie Cunningham, Jessica Olivieri, Melissa Ramos and Raymond Haber.

2008-04-13T18:15:00.004+10:00

UWS reshapes fine-arts program
By Anita Maglicic and Clare Bruce

from Northern News 1 April 2008

AS STUDENTS at the University of Western Sydney settle into their first semester of classes, some are lamenting that this is the final year for the fine arts and electronic arts degrees.

Last year the university announced these courses would be replaced by a four-year Bachelor of Contemporary Art degree in 2008, but it failed to attract enough applicants.

In the revised version, a two-year TAFE Diploma of Fine Arts will be a prerequisite for a two-year Bachelor of Contemporary Art degree that will start next year.

Studio art such as painting and drawing, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture will now be taught at Kingswood TAFE and other campuses.

In the two-year degree component, students will study media and digital arts, photo media, animation, screen and sound, convergent and interactive media, digital music and art history and theory.

The 25 to 30 students of the fine arts and electronic art degrees who started in 2006 will be the last, as these courses are phased out by 2009. TAFE students who have already completed the diploma component can start the new degree next year.

Tony Hay, the president of Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, said he was was disappointed about the loss of courses and blamed a lack of advertising.

"Western Sydney's distance, transport problems and socioeconomic disadvantage already places serious challenges on our artists," he said.

Lori Saywell, a 2007 graduate, agreed the university didn't do enough marketing.

"I found out about the course through a friend because I didn't know it was there," she said.

Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns, the head of communication art at UWS, said the course was advertised through brochures, the prospectus and on the university website.

She said the changes were due to a lack of applicants in the high-cost courses.

"Governments have reduced funding to universities that specialise in particular areas of study."

She said there had been a decline in fine-art enrolments nationally, not just in western Sydney.

Penrith councillor Jim Aitken, who has already asked the university to reconsider, said: "I think it's regretful that UWS can't find somewhere to cut back a little to let the full degree continue.

"The council supports the arts very heavily in Penrith through our Q Theatre, Joan Sutherland Centre and Penrith Regional Gallery.

"We are building a city known for its education and culture this decision is something that will retard this growth."

Also published as part of this story was this smaller article:

The history of the art school

THE UWS art school at Penrith was established in 1981 as part of the Nepean College of Advanced Education, to cater for budding artists in the west.

In its heyday in the late ’80s and early ’90s, it had more than 1000 students, 100 staff including highly respected Australian artists, and a high status in the arts scene. Some called it the ‘‘jewel in the university’s crown’’.

It has produced highly regarded artists such as Brook Andrew, Raquel Ormella and Con Gouriotis (now Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre director), while the theatre program has produced actors such as David Wenham.

The School of Contemporary Arts once included performance, fine arts, dance and electronic art. By the end of this year, the only degree left of those will be music.

In July 2007, a forum was held at Blacktown Arts Centre as part of a major art event called Western Front, to discuss the issues faced by the art world of western Sydney. A source said that the decline of the UWS arts department was on the agenda, but no one from the university attended to explain its side of the story, despite invitations.

2008-02-14T06:21:00.001+11:00

Want to go to art school? Don't live in Western Sydney

from Crikey (13 February 2008)

Joanna Mendelssohn writes:

While SMH art critic John McDonald continues to rabbit on about “scandalous” attacks on East Sydney’s National Art School I have yet to hear a peep about the real scandal in Sydney’s arts education — the end of art at the University of Western Sydney.

The art school at UWS used to be one of the best in the country. In the 1990s graduates were a parade of hot talent. The work was gritty, sometimes unpredictable, and bouncing with energy. It told of a place with few resources and a population greater than South Australia. Local and state government authorities responded to this energy, and in recent years have opened arts centres at at Campbelltown, Penrith, Blacktown, Parramatta and Fairfield. Later this year an expanded Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre will reopen as a major resource for the Liverpool region and beyond.

But while local government can make the link between creativity and economic prosperity, UWS is taking a different path. In recent years arts budgets were slashed in favour of commerce. Students sniffed the wind and started to look elsewhere Enrolments fell. The drama program that nurtured David Wenham was first to go. Last year there was no intake of first year students in visual arts. This year students have been told to go to TAFE for two years. Most of the remaining teaching staff have taken voluntary redundancy.

As a result, those who would study art in greater Sydney have the choice between two university art schools in the extreme inner city (Sydney College of the Arts at Rozelle and College of Fine Arts at Paddington), or a bus ride to Wollongong. Sydney’s public transport is so exquisitely appalling that this places students without wheels at an enormous disadvantage.

The media coverage of the dismantling of art education in the west has been minimal. If ever proof was needed of the myopic self-centred nature of the media then this is it. Ross Fitzgerald, father of a student at the former East Sydney Technical College (aka National Art School) has had several bleats in the Australian about the possible closure of his daughter’s institution, but nothing, no-one, gives a stuff about Western Sydney — except the people who live and work there. Who happen to be the majority.

Declaration of interest: Joanna Mendelssohn is an Associate Professor at the College of Fine Arts, UNSW and is on the Board of the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.

2008-01-22T22:00:00.002+11:00

Bent Western Exhibition

Daniel Mudie Cunningham asked us to post info about Bent Western, his curated survey show of queer art from Western Sydney. Opening at Blacktown Arts Centre on 7 February 6pm. Until 12 April. Daniel tells us that 10 of the 16 artists were from UWS.

2007-12-17T18:38:00.001+11:00

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

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) Ltd
Suite 2 Level 1 (PO Box 63) Blacktown 2148
© 2006 WSROC Ltd
T 02 9671 4333
F 02 9621 7741
admin@wsroc.com.au
http://www.wsroc.com.au

2007-12-09T15:20:00.001+11:00

UWS Gradshow speeches 2007
by John Cheeseman, Terry Hayes and Daniel Mudie Cunningham.

John Cheeseman:

Terry Hayes:

Daniel Mudie Cunningham:

And thanks to sexy superstar Master of Ceremonies, Anastasia Zaravinos.

2007-07-16T17:36:00.000+10:00

Okay so not a lot has been happening online here but a lot has been going on out there in the “real” world. For starters artedalliance has been formed as a broad collective of community members focused on addressing ongoing issues facing arts education in Western Sydney; they recently held their first meeting at ICE (Information and Cultural Exchange) in Granville. Secondly the exhibition Serial Box Art Degree opened and continues on at Mori Gallery until the 28th July as an artistic response to: the axing of Fine Arts, Electronic Arts and Performance degrees; and the introduction of the new 'no frills' Bachelor of Contemporary Arts.

But what we haven't had yet is the opportunity for all parties involved (students, arts workers, artists, university academics, university management, local government, and anybody else involved with the broad arts community) to gather in the same room and discuss the key issues facing arts in Western Sydney. Lucky for us Blacktown Arts Centre have stepped up to rectify this by holding a two day forum as part of their Western Front 2007 public program. Unfortunately University of Western Sydney management have declined offers to take part or to be represented at the forum, but on the plus there will be representatives from WSROC, UNSW, Arts NSW, local Council Members, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Penrith Regional Gallery and Lewers Bequest, Urban Theatre Projects, Corroboree Arts and Craft co-op, as well as several local artists many of whom have studied in Western Sydney and continue to be involved in the Western Sydney community. There will be five sessions each day addressing a variety of topics including developments at the University of Western Sydney please contact Blacktown Arts Centre to find out exact times of the various topics, and come along - join the discussion!

The forum will take place this Friday and Saturday (20th and 21st July). All sessions are free.
Seating is limited – bookings advised, please call 02 9839 6558.
For more details visit www.westernfront2007.com.au

For more information about the artedalliance please email: autonomouspromoter@yahoo.com.au

2007-06-05T16:58:00.000+10:00

If you would like to creatively respond to the constant downgrading of creative degrees at UWS and beyond perhaps you will be interested in participating in the following project titled The Promoter Presents: Serial Boxes, read on for details.

The Promoter is concerned about the continual downgrading of arts education. Specifically The Promoter is troubled by the elimination or restructuring of key programs at the University of Western Sydney, where Dance and Performance degrees have been cut and where Fine Arts and Electronic Arts have been downgraded and reshaped. For instance, a generic Bachelor of Contemporary Arts is meant to have an intake in 2008 however, many have expressed concern as to whether it will generate the kind of conceptually innovative artists that UWS has gained a reputation for over the past two decades.

The Promoter is fretful that creative degrees are appearing progressively manufactured and has decided to begin an arts supermarket that will promote the latest trend: a Serial Box art degree. Unfortunately little else besides Serial Boxes will be available due to restructuring and limited funding.

YOU are invited to take part in shaping this degree by donating a Serial Box artwork expressing your thoughts about arts degrees. This can take a political, factual, subjective, or 'other' approach.

YOU can achieve this by creating a cereal box reflecting your very own oppositional critique of serial branding. The Promoter will include your work as long as your cereal box conforms to the basic rectangular shape of everyday cereal packaging. If you wish to be acknowledged for your contributing box - please label - alternatively toy with anonymity.

Serial Boxes will be exhibited in July at Mori Gallery - the due date of boxes is Monday 2nd July. Please contact The Promoter for any further details at: autonomouspromoter@yahoo.com.au

2007-04-23T16:11:00.000+10:00

UWS RELATED EXHIBITIONS

The following exhibitions involving recent graduates of UWS Fine Arts and Electronic Arts will be occurring over the next couple of weeks :

"Hyperthermia"
Robin Hungerford

opens Wednesday 25 April, 6-8pm
exhibition continues to 12 May 2007
f i r s t d r a f t
116-118 Chalmers St.
Surry Hills NSW 2010
t: +61 (0)2 9698 3665
http://www.firstdraftgallery.com/

Opening 6-8pm on May the 2nd at Loose Project Gallery see Free Association: for four an exhibition curated by David Haines and showing of the talents of Kusum Normoyle, Louise Dibben, Monica Brooks, and T.R. Carter. 2nd floor, 168 Day St Sydney exhibition runs until 2nd June.

And then on May the 11th take a trip out to Campbelltown Arts Centre for the opening night of Thomas Knox Arnold and Benson Au's exhibition A Family Guide to Deception: Parts 1 to 8 to be opened by artist Joyce Hinterding, 7pm.

If we have missed anything going on please email us at: saveuwsfinearts[at]hotmail.com

2007-04-03T21:20:00.000+10:00

The following article was published in last weeks Penrith Press, thankyou Thomas for spotting this one. Surprised anyone?

Sports centre gets off mark

29Mar07

A $10 million sports complex will be built at the University of Western Sydney Kingswood.

UWS Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid said the new centre would serve the greater community as well as students and staff.

The centre will include indoor courts for netball, basketball and soccer, as well as a boxing ring, state-of-the-art gym facilities, exercise bikes and child minding facilities.

Outdoor practice nets for cricket, softball, netball and hockey in association with external sports fields are also proposed.

The Federal Government recently announced it will support the new centre with $4 million. Professor Reid said the university was ``delighted'' the Federal Government was making such a significant contribution towards the sports centre.

``I would like to thank the Federal Government and the Member for Lindsay, Jackie Kelly, for their support,'' Professor Reid said.

``This is good news for the university and, in particular, for the people in Penrith who will be able to use a state-of-the-art sports centre.''

The grant was awarded as part of the government's first round of Post Voluntary Student Unionism Transition Fund for Sporting and Recreational Facilities funding.

``This is a remarkable achievement for UWS considering the strong competition for funds and the focus on supporting universities in rural areas,'' Professor Reid said.

The university will now begin planning the new centre which is expected to be completed in 2009.

http://www.penrithpress.com.au/article/2007/03/29/2292_news.html

2007-03-09T18:41:00.000+11:00

PENRITH PRESS ARTICLE
Thankyou to the Anonymous person who let us know about this article published last week in the Penrith Press:

Get college in on the act

06Mar07

ACTING and fine art courses would ``limp along'' at the University of Western Sydney unless Werrington TAFE could lend some extra space.

University Dean of Arts Wayne McKenna addressed a Penrith Council meeting last month after councillors had expressed concerns about the university's commitment to the area late last year.

In December, one of Australia's most celebrated acting institutions, Theatre Nepean, was closed along with the theatre-making course.

The university also cut its intake of Fine Arts students.

Professor McKenna said demand for these courses had dropped while more students wanted to do Communications or Design.

``We let students do what they want to do,'' Professor McKenna told the council. He said the university had spent $1.5 million upgrading its media precinct, including new television cameras.

Acting was ``the single most expensive course'' on offer and the fine art and acting courses had lost $1.5 million last year.

The university includes floor space used for a course when it is budgetting, so ``chalk and talk subjects'' cost less.

``The TAFE has more space, if we could share with TAFE it would help. We're also talking to local galleries. This would save a lot of money.

``Galleries are a big space for the university to provide and put pressure on programs.''

Professor McKenna said the acting and art courses would resume in a more limited format in 2008.

Penrith Mayor Pat Sheehy said if floor space was to be included in the budget than TAFE could provide the studio space.

He suggested the council lobby government for funding to make this happen.

Councillor Greg Davies suggested a working party made up of members of the arts and education community be formed to start lobbying.

http://www.penrithpress.com.au/article/2007/03/06/2177_news.html

2007-03-04T09:29:00.000+11:00

UWS STUDENT RELATED EVENTS

Perhaps the most important action artists and art students can take in response to continual cutbacks (not to mention suspension of intake) to their university degree is to create a strong presence out there in the 'real' world with some kick arse art. Take for example the recently formed collective The Gift Project: "Seven recent graduates of Fine Arts and Electronic Arts; Raymond Haber, Rohan Squires, (name withheld), Samuel Bruce, Stella Rufus, Vincent O'Connor and Vaughan O'Connor. The collective is aimed at keeping UWS's vibrant arts scene alive. Forming as a reaction to the changes to Arts courses at UWS the collective strives to promote the amazing talent that has been produced through UWS. A CD label has been established by the collective and the label's first CD includes artists such as Shape Moreton, Axel Rosie O'Donnell, The Garden Band and many more.
The launch party of The Gift Project will start rocking at 6pm, Saturday the 10th of March at Lanfranchis, 144 Cleveland Street Chippendale UWS students and friends are urged to come along and show support for UWS Art Education. After all, Arts at UWS could be a fantastic opportunity for your child, family member or friend. Don't let Electronic Arts and Fine Arts slip away, GET ACTIVE!" (Referenced from http://www.myspace.com/giftprojectaudio)

Also check out: http://myspace.com/gift_project for further information about The Gift Project.

In addition last Friday night new media artists Wade Marynowsky, Peter Newman, Andrew Gadow, Samuel Bruce & Cameron Foster performed live synaesthetic media works at the brand new location of Performance Space at CarriageWorks this was the launch of the experimental DVD label 'Demux'. We are sorry to say that we are reporting this after the event, but keep an eye out for the brand new label 'Demux'.

Please let us know of any exhibitions, events, and performances related to the Western Sydney art scene, and let’s kick some arse by leading by example.

2007-02-05T13:31:00.000+11:00

SAVE UWS ARTS has been a very quiet blog of late however we have now returned to dutiful blogging for the year for the sheer purpose of maintaining dialogue about the situation facing fine arts and electronic arts. As the first semester of 2007 waits to commence there will be no new students scurrying around Z building rather second, third and honours years will be returning to the uncertainty of what will happen to their course, their facilities, their staff. This blog will continue to exist in order to report on any changes and news about UWS arts, please let us now if you see or hear anything, and forward news links etcetera.

Opinion Surveys

At the recent UWS graduation exhibition last November two volunteers kindly surveyed roughly 50 individuals at random about the about their thoughts regarding the ambiguity surrounding the new Bachelor of Contemporary Arts, as well as what they ideally would like to see in an art school specific to the region of Western Sydney.

Some of the points discussed about what a good art school needs to have included more opportunities for students such as a focus on building professional networks, access to business skills, training and mentoring, adequate funding, and diversity, to name just a couple of the points. Some of the interviewees suggested that there needs to be more community awareness of the arts within the Western Sydney region as well as implicit involvement from the community, as well as continual lively and critical discourse about arts west.

The full survey and a summery of the responses collected thus far can be viewed on:

http://blog.myspace.com/autonomousart

Please forward your own thoughts.

In addition the document ZED by Graeme Skimin can also be viewed in full at the same location, this compiled document is the result of conversations that Skimin conducted with thirty students from UWS, and became his Graduating artwork – a direct response to the circumstances he was experiencing within the institution. Below are a couple of excerpts from the 14 page document;

1. On perceptions of the ‘School’

1.1 In the week prior to the meeting of November 3, there were 14 students either currently enrolled, or graduates of the previous year performing or exhibiting work in the greater Sydney region (First Draft, Lanfranchi’s, Campbelltown Regional Gallery, Braemar Gallery). Many students commented that in any debate surrounding art education at UWS, a distinction must be made between the concerns pertaining to finances and the retention of students, and the history of the school in producing graduates who go on to play a significant role in world of contemporary art. The former was seen by many as an organizational problem to be overcome, the latter a success that should be recognized and celebrated.

6. On attracting students

Many students commented on the need for UWS to implement a well considered, specifically directed marketing campaign for the promotion of any future contemporary arts course.

Suggestions made by students in regards to attracting new students to a contemporary arts course:

# Specific advertisements positioned in media which has content directly related to the course at hand, Drum Media, 3D World, Realtime, Art Almanac.

# An annual ‘Open Day’ directed at senior high school students.

# ‘Vacation Schools’ directed at senior high school students, utilizing Zed building and conducted by third year and honours students.

# ‘Summer Schools’ that make use of specific facilities eg, Printmaking, Ceramics

# Emphasize the benefits and strengths of a contemporary arts course that truly allows for study ‘across the disciplines’. This should encompass both opportunities in ‘art practice’ (….that’s why I chose to come here….) and, if seen as advantageous by students, the possibilities of exploration in other areas of study e.g. humanities, politics, philosophy, science etc. (….much easier here to investigate an area of interest than the city art schools….).

10. On the new funding model

10.2 There appeared to be a significant degree of scepticism amongst many students in relation to the new funding model based on ‘floorspace rental’, and if the relationship between university management, and the faculties and their students, is being effectively reduced to that of landlord and tenant. Some students questioned the fairness of higher costs per department based on the design and building specifications of previous eras (….bad luck if you’ve got a really big foyer…. more than two hundred and fifty square centimetres and your asking for too much…will the end picture be students crammed into the smallest possible space and a whole lot of empty buildings….to meet management costs, does the uni just keep raising the rent…).

Indeed the point made by Skimin that students from UWS go on to make a valuable contribution in the arts is a crucial one, within the last week we have either heard about or attended the following exhibitions and initiatives involving past UWS students: Daniel Kojta exhibiting at Stills gallery; Andrew Gadow exhibiting at Firstdraft; and the new gallery At The Vanishing Point in Newtown due to open in early March as the initiative of Brendan Penzer (gallery director). Effectively UWS fine arts and electronic arts students are making their mark within the community, and unfortunately this is not always recognized nor valued, lets hope that through maintaining dialogue and openness about the issues facing art education within the university system we can make a difference.

2006-12-17T20:05:00.000+11:00

TVS Funding Dramas

In recent weeks both the Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald have covered the funding issues revolving around TVS - most recently Mark Day from the Australian reported last Thursday 14th December:

"the operators of Sydney community station TVS Channel 31 have warned their service will be switched off December 22 if new funding arrangements cannot be put in place. TVS partners Slice TV and the University of Western Sydney are at loggerheads over funding issues and it is unlikely that new funds can be arranged unless Slice agrees to leave the partnership."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20922781-7582,00.html

Previous to this Day had reported on the 7th December that Slice TV had been asked to resign stating that; "Slice says it has been kept in the dark by UWS and management, and has no faith in "a future controlled by the current board.""

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20883810-7582,00.html

(Do be warned that both of these articles are also largely about AFL).

Meanwhile we have also been alerted to a recent Sydney Morning Herald article detailing the loss of funding to TVS, however so far we have been unable to source this article, if any one by chance has it or knows the details please email us at saveuwsfinearts [at] hotmail.

2006-11-22T21:44:00.000+11:00

IT'S GONNA BE BIG, IT'S GONNA BE HUGE, IT IS GONNA ROCK THE HOUSE!!!!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/shinynoiseloudlights

http://www.cdm.uws.edu.au/arts/gradshow/

2006-11-14T11:20:00.000+11:00

AUTONOMOUS

Image from performance protest "Sleeping With the Enemy" in response to the merger between NAS and COFA perfomed by Anna Belhalfaoui for more info check out http://artandmayhem.blogspot.com/

Everything has become a little bit quiet at this end as everyone rushes around finishing end of year deadlines in all capacities. Indeed it is a busy time of year, hardly the time to begin new projects – however – with the impending UWS grad show symbolising the end of an era, perhaps it is also the time to think of a new beginning. A time to reaffirm what we as a community of art students, artists, academics, and potential art students and artists want and demand to see in an art school in Western Sydney. The question has been posed at various meetings with the Head of School asking what students would like in the new Bachelor of Contemporary Arts course, now seems as appropriate time as any to pose this question to all interested parties because ultimately this affects the entire arts community.

We have set up a Myspace site (as this seems the current trend) to which we hope everyone contributes ideas, images, sound etcetera about what YOU believe is important in art education in Western Sydney, so check out Autonomous at: http://www.myspace.com/autonomousart
if you don't have a myspace page then please email us at saveuwsfinearts [at] hotmail. com with anything you might like to contribute.

Another Myspace site you might want to check out for the graduating year is: http://www.myspace.com/shinynoiseloudlights

Looking over comments on the petition it is encouraging to see the support, for example so many have commented about the importance of Electronic Arts and the high level of artists emerging from UWS into the electronic art and new media areas. Some great comments on the petition have included Helen Grace’s comments that: “Everywhere else in the world creative industry is expanding rather than contracting - and in Sydney for some time, the most energetic and innovative developments have been in Western Sydney, frequently initiated and certainly enabled by staff and students at UWS.”

While Jeremy Mortlake states that: “Over twenty years of cultural development has gone into the artschool at UWS which is one of the best in Australia.”

And Patricia Parish asserts: “It adds to the sense that we in Western Sydney are 'invisible', and not deserving of access to the same opportunities available to residents of other 'more elite' suburbs of Sydney.”

Thankyou all for making the effort to contribute to this discussion so far, one comment however has concerned us, Keely Windred states that “I also disagree with the cutting of the master of art therapy, a course which I have been aiming to do for years and have based my life around. It’s the only master of art therapy in the state. I'm going to have to study it in Melbourne or Perth, but will probably study overseas because the Australian government doesn’t place enough importance on the arts.” We’d like to take this opportunity to confirm that Art Therapy is not being cut and exists in a different school to Fine Arts and Electronic Arts (within the School of Social Sciences) and also exists at a postgraduate level only in the form of a Masters in Art Therapy and a Graduate Diploma in Expressive Therapies, both of which are interesting and dynamic degrees. However the future Grad Dip students who are expected to undertake two to three electives in Fine Arts may potentially be disappointed with less options open to them. Indeed Keely is correct that UWS is the only university in the state that offers a Masters of Art Therapy, and we sure hope that it continues to thrive for a long long long time to come.

On a separate issue Art and Mayhem has posted information about:

The Performance Protest: called "Sleeping with The Enemy" which will be re-enacted THIS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18^th from 6-8pm at "Glint Gallery", Level 1, 226 Union Street South Newtown.

She states that: “This is not just a chance to sip goon while gawking at a whacky art student in a wedding veil pretending to fuck a gorilla - but COULD actually be a good opportunity for a discussion and exchange of ideas about the current art school closures in Sydney that goes beyond the fatuous partisan name calling that has been occurring in the press of late.” Check out more info at http://artandmayhem.blogspot.com/

2006-11-03T22:13:00.000+11:00

SHINY NOISE AND LOUD LIGHTS

It’s going to be big, it’s going to be huge, it is going to be amazing. It is the 2006 Graduation Exhibition of the University of Western Sydney Fine Arts and Electronic Arts students.

The opening night will be on Friday the 24^th November at the infamous Z building at Kingswood Campus to be officially opened by special guest Kon Gouriotis (Executive Director of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre).

With only ten days to go this is your chance to support the next generation of Western Sydney artists, and an exciting opportunity to venture out West if this is not the norm for you.

For more information check out: http://www.cdm.uws.edu.au/arts/gradshow/

2006-11-03T08:47:00.000+11:00

CURTAIN FALLS ON STATE'S LAST UNI DANCE COURSE
by Clara Iaccarino
Sydney Morning Herald, November 2, 2006

There is nothing equivocal about Dancing on the Grave, a graduation performance choreographed by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, the head of dance at the University of Western Sydney.

In the closing sequence, a group of 19 black-clad dancers reach for the sky with hopeful faces, before falling to the ground like corpses.

The dancers are the final graduating class from NSW's only performance-oriented dance course, which has been axed after 19 years.

Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/curtain-falls-on-states-last-uni-dance-course/2006/11/01/1162339919061.html

2006-10-30T18:02:00.000+11:00

THE WESTERN ONION: UWS STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Semester 2, Issue 7, 2006, p. 3

SAVE UWS ARTS!
By 'Save Z Block Collective'

It's no secret that the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Electronic Arts at UWS have been discontinued in their current form. As a protest of this current state of affairs, UWS students have banded together and established a protest blog called Save UWS Arts http://saveuwsarts.blogspot.com/ For the last couple of weeks the blog has encouraged a community dialogue concerning not only the future of these esteemed degrees but the purpose of art and education in the current social and political climate. A petition has also been established to gather support for the arts programs at UWS: http://www.petitiononline.com/uws6Arts/petition.html

The success of the Fine Arts and Electronic Arts programs are legendary, with former students like Brook Andrew, Raquel Ormella and Justine Williams presently making their mark on the art world. Current students Paul Greedy and Robin Hungerford exhibited recently at Campbelltown Arts Centre and MOP Projects Gallery; former Fine Arts student Sari Kivinen was shortlisted for the recent Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship; while former student Savanhdary Vongpoothorn was one the few Australian Artists selected for the recent Biennale of Sydney.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, as the Fine Arts have produced an impressive honour role of high achieving artists, curators and art professionals over the last two decades. But now the highly reputable degree, which is taught by nationally and internationally regarded artists, is being phased out. Why is Vice-Chancellor Janice Reid not supporting the arts at her own institution when she maintains a presence in the arts as board member of the Art Gallery of NSW, patron for the Kedumba Drawing Prize, and past Trustee for Queensland Art Museum? Why isn't Reid fostering culture and the arts in western Sydney when increased cultural infrastructure has been established to facilitate a meaningful dialogue with tertiary arts programs in Western Sydney? Events such as the ARTiculate Arts Fair are being organised specifically "to showcase and highlight arts practice and issues for artists in Western Sydney - the most artistic and culturally vibrant region in Australia." (Community Cultural Development NSW webpage: http://www.ccdnsw.org/ccdnsw/about/)

The School of Communication Arts plans on replacing the Fine Arts and Electronic Arts with a new Bachelor of Contemporary Art. Intake for this degree has been suspended for the moment however. Head of School Associate Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns and Executive Dean Professor Wayne McKenna have confirmed that it will have an intake in 2008 and are meeting with directors and representatives from Western Sydney Regional Galleries and Arts Centres to help create a professional and dynamic Contemporary Art degree.

But if management is "suspending" intake, we can't help but be concerned that it's all just a smokescreen for the ultimate disintegration of art education at UWS. After countless restructures, offers to staff of voluntary redundancies, and current students struggling to access technical resources, there is no guarantee with the new funding model being introduced in 2007 that the specialised artmaking facilities of Z building (including woodwork, metalwork, printmaking and photomedia studios) will be able to sustain themselves. A current student commenting on the Save UWS Arts blog, writes: “The climate in Z building itself is such that many students have been considering transfer to other Sydney art schools and some have indeed already applied.” Students currently enrolled in art degrees must be ensured the quality they were assured when they signed up for the degree. And future art practitioners from Western Sydney should have an opportunity to attend a tertiary art school in their own neighbourhood if they choose.

Please sign the online Save UWS Arts Petition http://www.petitiononline.com/uws6Arts/petition.html

And keep an eye on updates on the blog http://saveuwsarts.blogspot.com/

2006-10-27T08:46:00.000+10:00

JOAN GROUNDS LENDS SUPPORT

Joan Grounds shot by the legendary Carol Jerrems, 1974 (from Art & Australia, Summer, 43:2, 2005).

Former UWS Fine Arts lecturer and acclaimed artist, Joan Grounds, emailed to lend her support. Below is text Joan wrote for the petition (only the first paragraph appears on the petition, so read the rest here):

This decision to close Arts at UWS is the end result of years of distressing actions aimed at the Arts by the University. To observe the gradual dismantling of this vibrant and important tertiary cultural institution was one of the most unsettling events I have witnessed in education in Australia.

The Arts at UWS service the demographic centre of Sydney. Cultural institutions in this region are beginning to grow, to flourish and to gain a reputation for excellence in part because of the critical mass of talented past graduates. These institutions rely on a continuum of talent that has been developed and nurtured in the critical environment of tertiary art education within a liberal arts University. It is difficult to understand why or how removing this educational facility that so clearly is a key to the infrastructure of cultural institutions in Western Sydney makes any rational sense on any level.

For the present staff and students, ‘teaching and learning out’ the last of the courses this is a sad and bewildering event. For all artists in Australia this is a tragedy, because some of our best talent and minds have been educated and honed in this facility. Many of the students are first generation tertiary educated and many initially enrolled with little idea of the opportunities that would open for them as they developed as creative and productive artists. One has to assume that without this important and excellent facility there will be significant future loss for all of us, because the ‘voices’ of the students from this catchment will never emerge to enrich, challenge and bring honours to Australian life and culture.

It always takes years and years to build a strong arts program such as the one at UWS. And it takes so little time to break it down. So much good will, hard work and talent has gone into building up the Arts at UWS. To see it destroyed in this manner is a great and lasting tragedy. I would have to say, a tragic mistake of epic proportion.

- Joan Grounds

2006-10-20T22:51:00.000+10:00

AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY QUALITY AGENCY (AUQA)
AUDIT FOR UWS

A recent email from the VC sent to staff reports on the outcome of the AUQA audit, undertaken at UWS recently:

'The words used by the panel chair in describing the spirit individuals and groups conveyed was that "UWS is a University of the people" of which all are clearly very proud...

They commended us on our engagement with the community, the strong governance of the Board of Trustees and Academic Senate, the systems we have developed such as online course approvals, tracking and improvement for learning and teaching, and complaints management, and Library services, the heads of programs network and research register.

We received "affirmations" relating to our planning, WebCT, the measurable recent improvement in student satisfaction, the developmentof the work loads policy and University funding model, the commitment to research concentration and the strategy for research development, and community engagement.

The areas which the panel recommended need further work are all-of-University action on Indigenous education, IT governance and client service, quality assurance of our off shore programs, tracking the improvements in student administration and client service, the development of "commercial" activity to increase non-government revenue, and defining the distinguishing features of the UWS student experience.'

We wonder, if '"UWS is a University of the people" of which all are clearly very proud', why is it not listening to the arts? Obviously the rest of the community is very concerned. There is no "quality" at present for us. Pity the AUQA "panel" are not judging present deficiencies in Arts at UWS. Did the AUQA review TVS?

Thanks for sending this to us.

2006-10-19T21:40:00.000+10:00

Thanks to The Artswipe for spreading the word on a recent post that can be viewed at: http://artswipe.blogspot.com and for reminding us of the artistically inspiring Kingswood swamp.

2006-10-17T19:27:00.000+10:00

THE WESTERN ONION: UWS STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Semester 2, Issue 6, 2006

Hot off the presses!

The UWS student newspaper reports that Head of School, Associate Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns sent letters to prospective students about the School of Communication Arts not enrolling Fine Arts students, advising them to consider a Design degree or consider Fine Arts at TAFE. If prospective students wanted to study Design would they not have enrolled in Design in the first place? While Fine Arts and Design have a relationship, they are not the same thing, and not always compatible disciplines.

We'd love to see that letter! Anyone who received that letter from the Head of School, please scan it and email it to us to be posted on this blog.

The Western Onion article states: "The cancellation of fine arts at UWS does not appear to have been approved by the university's academic senate, which sets academic policy and approves changes to courses and units. The official position seems to be that the courses are not being 'retired' (official UWS-speak for cut); they are just enrolling no students. No doubt at some future time they will be 'retired' on the basis that they have no students."

Our understanding is, the said programs have been retired because the new Bachelor of Contemporary Arts is replacing the Fine Arts and Electronic Arts degrees. Reiterating what Associate Professor Sheridan Burns has told us in an email: "The Bachelor of Contemporary Art has been approved by the UWS Course Approvals and Articulations Committee and will be introduced in 2008."

So the implementation of the BCA was approved, but the relevant senate did not approve the "cancellation" of the Fine Arts degree. What is going on?

(Apologies the Western Onion article is scanned as two images - our scanner was not big enough)

2006-10-16T18:33:00.000+10:00

2SER COVERAGE

Kudos to Margaret Mayhem for discussing the issues affecting art schools like UWS and the National Art School in her spot on Daz Chandler's Monday Overdrive program on 2SER 107.3 FM. Margaret's blog is Art and Mayhem.

2006-10-16T11:20:00.000+10:00

BACHELOR OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS WILL HAVE 2008 INTAKE - HEAD OF SCHOOL

Associate Professor Lynette Sheridan Burns, Head of the School of Communication Arts, has emailed to correct a factual mistake we made about the Bachelor of Contemporary Art (BCA). We note that it has been "indefinitely" suspended. Lynette says by email, "This is not true and has never been true. The Bachelor of Contemporary Art has been approved by the UWS Course Approvals and Articulations Committee and will be introduced in 2008."

Changes to the text of the Petition cannot be made unfortunately. Once a Petition is live at that site it is permanent and cannot be altered. So please note Lynette's correction.

However, we stand by our motivating intention that the point of the petition is to rally support for the arts and art education in western Sydney when, until now, there has been ambiguity over the fate of the Fine Arts / Electronic Arts due to constant restructuring, lack of adequate funding, staff redundancies, subsequent lowering of morale for students and staff affected by these change proposals, and importantly, constant reminders from management that the arts areas have not been financially sustainable to date and have dropped in enrollements.

We hope, now we have solid confirmation that the BCA is slated for 2008, that it can service the needs for a well-rounded arts education for the west, with suitable consultation with fine arts/electronic arts staff (in addition to the consultation that is being sought from relevant arts bodies in the west) rather than a tokenistic gesture on the part of the university to provide an art degree.

PS. We just found Lynette's image when we looked her up on Google Images.

2006-10-15T20:41:00.000+10:00

THE SUN-HERALD, Sunday 15 October 2007, p37

Online version read it here

This article, which was published today, reports on the impact felt on universities by federal funding cuts. UWS is the focus of the article, with the School of Economics and Finance, highlighted as one of the schools affected by the situation.

This situation is obviously widespread, because the School of Communication Arts is in the same boat as funding issues are the driving force behind the cuts to the arts programs.

We agree with Associate Professor Steve Keen, who is quoted in this article as saying: If the vice-chancellor [Professor Janice Reid] were to take up the cudgel against Canberra and their funding cuts she would have the backing of the entire UWS staff". And we reckon the students might be happy too.

TVS IS ALSO IN THE NEWS

The community TV station hosted by The School of Communication Arts is in crisis.

Harriet Alexander reports:

THE future of Sydney's only community television station is in doubt after a dramatic fallout between its partners, a nearly $900,000 deficit and millions of dollars sunk by the University of Western Sydney.

The university has spent about $1.5 million on TVS and guaranteed a $2 million loan from the National Australia Bank, but the money will run out within months unless TVS generates more revenue or the university agrees to more funding.

The UWS board of trustees will discuss its future relationship with TVS when it meets today.

Last month the university decided to indefinitely suspend three arts and performance courses because they were running at a $1 million loss.

Read the entire article here

PS. Don't forget to sign the petition to ensure the proposed Bachelor of Contemporary Arts sees the light of day:

http://www.petitiononline.com/uws6Arts/petition.html

2006-10-15T12:45:00.000+10:00

SIGN THE SAVE UWS ARTS PETITION

A petition has been set up online to protest the decision on the part of the University's College of Arts/School of Communication Arts to suspend its Fine Arts and Electronic Arts programs and abandon its Performance program. The Fine Arts and Electronic Arts programs as they currently exist are being taught out, and the plan is for a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts to replace them. Intake for this program has been indefinitely suspended. Show your support for the implementation of this program by signing this petition. We believe it is important that this proposed program, when implemented, services the professional needs of arts students, lecturers and the arts communities in western Sydney.

Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/uws6Arts/petition.html

2006-10-15T12:00:00.000+10:00

MEETING NOTES

The spokesperson for the Save UWS Arts group attended the meeting where Head of School Lynette Sheridan Burns, Executive Dean Wayne McKenna and Head of Arts program Rachel Bentley spoke to approximately 22 fine arts and electronic arts students on Friday 13th October, 2006.

Current issues arising from the cutbacks for students

The Fine Arts and Electronic Arts degrees are largely practical with a high percentage of work taking place in the purpose built spaces (studios and technical facilities such as woodworking, welding, printmaking, audiovisual and photography labs).

With current technical staff cutbacks students are having difficulty accessing these facilities. For example, a printmaking technician works for 2.5 days per week and students must access facilities during that time.

Currently there is no storeperson from whom students can borrow tools and equipment needed for work in the studios. A roster has been put into place with the store room opened for set times per day. However, this involves a technician leaving their designated work area to man the store for two hour shifts. While supposedly a temporary measure this takes other technical staff away from their specialist areas which then have to be closed.

Lynette stated that she approved students from Fine Arts and Electronic Arts access to any facilities housed under the School of Communication Arts. This means students can have access to design and media arts production facilities and equipment. Students expressed concern that they have not been granted this access. One student left the meeting to go and attempt to hire a camera from Building BJ's store room, and was told by the Storeperson he could not because his supervisor did not authorize Fine Arts/Electronic Arts access. Lynette insists that she approves it, but students were concerned technical staff did not know this approval was in place.

Future plans

Current students were assured they would get what they signed up for when they enrolled into their degree programs. Meaning they would get access to facilities, units of study comprising the degrees, and that they would graduate with the degree they signed up for.

The Fine Arts and Electronic Arts programs have been phased out (meaning the degrees in their current incarnation will be taught out). It is planned that the Fine Arts and Electronic Arts programs will be replaced with a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (BCA). However, intake for this program, while initially slated for 2007, has been suspended. Lynette reassured students that the BCA would come into effect in 2008, and have an intake of 75 commencing students, but it could not be guaranteed that this would be definite. It could not be guaranteed because the requirements of space and facilities to operate such a program require much infrastructure.

Currently there are 14 academic staff in the combined areas of Fine Arts and Electronic Arts. They have calculated that to meet current student ratio demands, there should only be nine academic staff, therefore voluntary redundancies were offered because five staff were not needed.

A new funding model will be implemented throughout UWS from 2007 onwards. This has had significant impact on the proposed BCA and its ability to sustain itself. Currently Fine Arts and Electronic Arts have a combined debt of $775,000 to the University. Currently outgoing money (specifically salaries) exceeds the incoming. The new model will see $12,000 allocated per student instead of the current $5000 from the Government. The change is that University will now charge for the hire of space, administration charges, and so on. Areas with facilities like the arts will be specifically disadvantaged due to their specialist needs and their inability to raise funding externally (for example, through research funding).

Lynnette spoke about how there has been a 10% decline in enrollments for the Fine Arts and Electronic Arts in recent years. Students questioned why this was the case, suggesting that the continual restructuring of the courses was a potential reason why students were choosing not to study at UWS.

Part of the discontent at UWS with staff and current students is a feeling that the BCA will not come into effect, or if it does, significant input from the current art lecturers will not be sourced. Lynette indicated that she has been in talks with heads of regional galleries and arts organizations to assist in the development of the proposed BCA.

Unlike the BCA which merges the Fine Arts and Electronic Arts programs, the Performance program has been suspended and there are no plans in place for it to recommence in any form.

The discussion ended with a request from Wayne and Lynette for students to meet together and write a summary critique of what they think is needed for the BCA course, along with any current concerns felt due to their current degree programs being taught out.

If any of this information is inaccurate please let us know at saveuwsfinearts [at] hotmail.com and it will be rectified.

2006-10-14T08:11:00.000+10:00

2006 ACQUISITIVE SCULPTURE AWARD & EXHIBITION AT UWS

The UWS Media Release for this sculpture exhibition at the Campbelltown campus quotes UWS curator Monica McMahon: "The University is very proud to be able to promote this wonderful art form, support great Australian artists, and create a valuable cultural and community event for the people of Greater Western Sydney and beyond."

That's a great line, but does it apply beyond the sculpture exhibition?

More info from the UWS web site. Read it here

Articles from the last two issues of Uni Life:

vol 1 Winter 2006

Vol 2 Spring 2006

2006-10-12T21:21:00.000+10:00

The Art Life

Thanks to the illustrious Art Life blog for publicising this site in their latest post and contextualising the current cut to arts programs at UWS in relation to the preposterous merger of the National Art School and the College of Fine Arts. Whatever happened to art school autonomy? Whatever happened to art schools?

2006-10-12T13:41:00.000+10:00

Invitation to Participate

CROSS CONVERSATIONS: What are art schools for?

The Cross Art Projects

33 Roslyn Street, Kings Cross, Sydney (opposite St Lukes Hospital gates)

Saturday 14 October 2006, 4 to 5pm
Exhibition Ends: Saturday 14 October 2006 at 6pm
Information: Jo Holder 9357 2058 or 0406 537933

In association with the exhibition WHAT ARE ART SCHOOLS FOR? BY JUSTIN TRENDALL

WHAT ARE ART SCHOOLS FOR? is an exhibition about the relationship between artists and institutions. The theme for this Saturdays conversation is the challenge faced by art schools in Australias current social and economic climate. Although many challenges are not new, what is new is the 10-year reign of a party whose political philosophy is hostile to the arts.The conversation will focus on the common experience of art schools facing cuts and downgrading. We aim to make a small contribution to the ongoing debate about the value and position of art in our society by considering the problems from the perspective of teaching art. The conversation might be able to cover ground not easily covered by the more abstract mission statements of major organisations. You are invited to participate in a talk about your firsthand view of art and education and the current state of the affairs of art institutions in Sydney this Saturday at 4pm until 5pm. Followed by closing drinks.

Cross Conversation participants include artists: Justin Trendall, Andrew Hurle, Christopher Dean, Maria Cruz, Sue Pedley, Save UWS Art School

The Cross Art Projects
A space for independent art & curatorial studies
Director: Jo Holder
33 Roslyn Street Kings Cross Sydney 2011
T: + 61 (02) 9357-2058
E: joholder@aic.net.au
W: www.crossart.com.au

2006-10-12T12:53:00.000+10:00

A current UWS student asked us to post the details of a meeting where the Head of the School of Communication Arts, Lynette Sheridan Burns, and Wayne McKenna will chat with Fine Arts and Electronic Arts students about what is happening to their programs of study.

Midday

13th October

BBG23, Werrington Sth

All are welcome.

This is THE chance to raise questions and concerns.

Thanks guys for posting the news in the comment section.

2006-10-11T20:54:00.000+10:00

Position Vacant at UWS: Research Associate for visual arts cultural research

Positions Vacant at UWS: A Research Associate is needed for the Centre for Cultural Research, which is located in Professor Wayne McKenna's College of Arts. What got our attention is the research project that created this Research Associate position is an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded industry "linkage" project about "contemporary arts partnership for creativity, collaboration and business engagement around Western Sydney". Further research at the ARC website shows the project's "linkage" partners are the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Penrith Regional Gallery and Casula Powerhouse.

The College of Arts is dedicated to the visual arts when its cultural researchers from the CCR score ARC dollars. Interestingly Elaine Lally, Ien Ang, Kay Anderson are not art scholars: they're cultural studies scholars ...

The suitability of the CCR researchers for this research is really beside the point. What shocks us is the blatant contradictions UWS expects us all to gloss over. UWS supports visual arts research (if the ARC will do so first with a linkage grant). But as for its own demonstrated success in producing quality arts students and staff - well that's another "unsustainable" story.

Note posted by UWS Arts 17/10/06: We apologise if we offended anyone when we posted this. We were angry at the time and regret our hasty tone. Though admittedly, it's hard to "grow up" when our own art degree at our university of choice is shortchanging us and the broader Western Sydney community of a quality art school. Growing up is "cognate" with the education you choose.

2006-10-10T21:10:00.000+10:00

UWS is missing a piece of its brain.

The new marketing campaign for postgraduate courses at UWS is a serious fizzer. Or does it reveal a serious flaw in UWS's corporate logic? Who is UWS's advertising client? Surely not any of the advertising staff or students in the School of Communication Arts? Yes, the School of Communication Arts has an Advertising degree program, which incidentally has not been cut. Surely UWS executives have no idea how advertising works, let alone how it can be interpreted. Maybe the UWS media department should sit in a few lectures or tutes offered on their own grounds at Werrington South. If this stupid postcard, freely available on campus and seen on billboards on the Great Western Hwy, is any indication of the kind of "logic" UWS represents, then it's time to look elsewhere for an education of any relevance.

If "the missing piece" at UWS is a postgraduate education, then maybe UWS should consider rethinking the way it stripped back its undergraduate programs a few years ago when it cut a thousand or so electives. How can UWS claim to have any postgraduate culture when its undergraduate courses have been so consistently depleted? In that case, Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Wayne McKenna's official line for axing the arts programs (they do not attract students anymore and are not financially sustainable) is true. The Arts programs suffering the axe at present have not attracted the same numbers in recent years because the programs have lost their edge. How can UWS art programs compete with tertiary art schools elsewhere when their programs have become such stripped back generic courses with nothing to offer?

Yes, UWS has a missing piece in its brain. And how dare UWS think it has anything to offer on a postgraduate level, when it can't even service the undergraduate cohorts who make up its majority.

2006-10-10T06:59:00.000+10:00

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.

Save UWS Fine Arts

2006-09-28T21:07:00.000+10:00

Professor Janice Reid, UWS Vice Chancellor

Would you be interested in helping out with a SAVE UWS FINE ARTS campaign?

We are planning a demonstration to protest the cutting of the University of Western Sydney Arts programs (Fine Arts, Electronic Arts and Performance). We are angry that Professor Janice Reid, the UWS Vice Chancellor, actively maintains presence in the arts: she is on the board of trustees of AGNSW, her term expiring December 2006; Patron for the Kedumba Drawing Prize; and past Trustee for Queensland Art Museum.

This protest questions why Professor Reid, as a Trustee and Patron of the arts, is not supporting the arts at her own tertiary institution. This protest questions her role on the board of NSW's major art institution, when art education in her own institution is cut. If Prof Reid is not supporting art education in western Sydney, hierarchical stereotypes that art is elite, better located in the centre, and housed in officially sanctioned contexts (like the AGNSW) are simply being reinforced.

Such attitudes demonstrate no commitment to fostering culture and the arts in the western suburbs when much cultural infrastructure is in place to facilitate a meaningful dialogue with a Fine Arts tertiary program in western Sydney (regional galleries, artist studios, artist networks, etc).