UMass Dartmouth Plans to Relocate College of Visual and Performing Arts
UMass Dartmouth has made the decision to relocate its College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) from downtown New Bedford. The move will take effect immediately.
Financial Constraints Lead to Relocation
In a letter to faculty and staff, Chancellor Mark Fuller announced that the decision was prompted by the removal of funding for the $2.7 million annual lease from the state budget. The funding was eliminated shortly before the budget reached the governor’s desk. As a result, the university is unable to afford the lease payments and has been advised by legal counsel not to remain in the building without a lease.
Impact on the Community
The decision to relocate the CVPA has been met with shock and disappointment from artists, downtown business owners, and community members. The presence of the art school in downtown New Bedford has been credited with contributing to the city’s revival.
- Artist Mark Dion, a visiting scholar at UMass Dartmouth, expressed his devastation over the decision. He believes that abandoning the space will have catastrophic consequences and undermine the progress made over the years.
- Mayor Jon Mitchell of New Bedford expressed surprise and dismay at the chancellor’s decision. He had been involved in negotiations to secure a new agreement for the Star Store building, which houses the CVPA.
Sustainable Development Goals and the Importance of the CVPA
The relocation of the arts program from downtown New Bedford raises concerns about its impact on the city and the school’s ability to attract students and faculty. The presence of artists in an urban context is seen as crucial for their work and development.
- The decision to move the CVPA out of downtown New Bedford may hinder the city’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
- Furthermore, it may also affect progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, as it could make it more challenging for the CVPA to attract students and provide them with a conducive learning environment.
Efforts to Reverse the Closure
State legislators, UMass Dartmouth, building owner Paul Downey, and the Healey administration have been involved in negotiations regarding the Star Store building. Mayor Mitchell and Senator Mark Montigny have pledged to work with the administration to try to reverse the closure.
- State Representative Antonio Cabral highlights the importance of transferring ownership of the Star Store to UMass Dartmouth, as outlined in the initial lease signed 20 years ago.
- Senator Mark Montigny expresses disappointment in the university and the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) for neglecting their responsibility to protect taxpayers and students. He emphasizes that the lease and state law require the building to be transferred to UMass for $1.
The closure of the Star Store will require last-minute adjustments and incur additional expenses for UMass Dartmouth as it seeks alternative locations for its programs.
Despite the negative impact of the relocation, Chancellor Fuller acknowledges the difficulty of the situation and expresses understanding for the disappointment felt by students, faculty, the university, and the city of New Bedford.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
- SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
- SDG 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 4.7: Number of students enrolled in programs related to sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
- Indicator for SDG 8.3: Number of jobs created in the arts and cultural sector.
- Indicator for SDG 11.4: Number of cultural heritage sites protected and preserved.
- Indicator for SDG 17.17: Number of partnerships established between educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations to support arts and cultural programs.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. | Number of students enrolled in programs related to sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services. | Number of jobs created in the arts and cultural sector. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. | Number of cultural heritage sites protected and preserved. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Number of partnerships established between educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations to support arts and cultural programs. |
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Source: capeandislands.org
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