You may be aware by now that the Mount Royal University administration has recommended suspending intake into the Theatre Arts Diploma (Performance), Theatre Arts Diploma (Technical Production) and the Music Performance Diploma (Jazz). This move will eliminate these programs over the next year. Students continuing to second year will be allowed to finish but then the programs will be eliminated.
The Board of Governors of MRU will vote on these recommendations tomorrow evening - Thursday April 18. There is still time to influence their decision by writing to the Board Chair and Vice Chair as well as to the MRU President, Vice President Academic and the Dean of the Faculty of Communication Studies. I am including some text of a letter you may wish to copy and paste into a letter. Please feel free to edit this or write your own letter of support. It is important to speak out about your support for the arts in Alberta. This decision was arbitrary and without consultation with any of the constituent groups affected by the cuts; students, employers, high school programs, faculty, unions or theatres.
They believe arts is an easy cut and have told us directly that there is no support for fine and performing arts from the Alberta Government as the government focus is on more important programs that support the economy.
Please let them know how you feel about arts and culture in Alberta.
I am including the email addresses of the MRU Board and administration officials along with the contact information for Alberta politicians. If you care about the performing arts, please let your voice be heard. They believe support for the arts is soft and while they do expect some protest, they believe Albertans are concerned about the economy and performing arts are considered a frill, not a necessity. Let them know what we know, that the performing arts industries are net benefits to a stronger, growing and healthy economy and society.
Dear
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed cuts to the Theatre and Music Programs at Mount Royal University. Due to provincial funding cutbacks, the University has had to make some difficult choices. On recommendation from the academic administration, you will be voting to suspend intake into the Theatre and Music Performance Diplomas effective Fall 2013. While current students will be able to continue next year to finish their diplomas, no new students will be accepted into forthcoming years. This equates to a loss of 120 student seats in theatre and music programs and possibly the end of the University’s Shakespeare In the Park program – a twenty five year Calgary institution. These cuts have a significant impact on the mentorship of emerging artists in Calgary. These programs provide a constant flow of new creativity to the vibrance of the Calgary community. Without them, Calgary's cultural identity will suffer.
I urge you to reconsider this decision and recognize the impact it will have on all aspects of this community from professional theatres, dance, opera, musical performance venues, clubs and the entertainment and cultural life of this city.
Sincerely,
Please write to MRU Board of Governors:
Mr. Richard Shaw (Chair) richard@shawlawcorp.ca Ms. Marie Delorme (Vice Chair) mdelorme@imaginationgroup.ca
care of:
Jane O'Connor - Manager, Governance and Executive Operations MRU joconnor@mtroyal.ca
Please write to the MRU Administration:
Dr. David Docherty - President
ddocherty@mtroyal.ca
Dr. Manuel Mertin - Provost and Academic Vice President mmertin@mtroyal.ca
Mr. Marc Chikinda - Dean, Faculty of Communication Studies mchikinda@mtroyal.ca
Please write to your Alberta politicians by going to this website and choosing the group or groups you wish to contact (will create a CSV file for you to download):
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/
This link will allow you to select individuals:
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/
Thank you in advance for your support. It is much appreciated.
