Image credit: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The recent closure of the Delaware College of Art and Design, after nearly three decades, was a shock to many. The sudden announcement came shortly after the school had celebrated the opening of its new technology center, funded by Crystal Trust. This event, which once seemed like a step towards a brighter future, now feels like part of a larger, troubling pattern.
The decision of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia to close just days later added to the sense of uncertainty in the art education community. With dwindling enrollment and the sale of student housing, signs of struggle were apparent.
These unexpected shutdowns have left many questioning the viability of such institutions and seeking ways to ensure their survival.
Blame FAFSA?
The sudden closures of Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) and the University of the Arts (UArts) caught students and faculty off guard. At UArts, students expressed frustration over the school’s spending on items deemed unnecessary, like an on-campus coffee shop and a new gym. These concerns echoed back to DCAD, where an opening of a costly technology center raised eyebrows.
DCAD president Jean Dahlgren pointed a significant amount of blame towards issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The 2023 rollout of a new FAFSA form was plagued by glitches and delays. Colleges couldn’t send out aid packages on time, resulting in uncertainty for both students and schools about whether financial aid would be received as expected.
While the FAFSA problems played a role, they were just part of a bigger picture affecting art schools.
Both institutions faced declining enrollment and rising operational costs. The combination of these financial pressures along with the FAFSA complications created a perfect storm, leading to these unfortunate closures.
University-backed art schools have their advantages
University-backed art schools can weather big challenges better than small colleges, whether those colleges focus on art or not. The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in education overall. For art schools, the challenge was especially tough because hands-on learning is so important for these programs.
Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University is a good example of how a university-supported art school managed to stay open almost throughout the pandemic. They benefited from a new building with advanced ventilation and large studios. This setup allowed students to spread out and continue their work safely.
In contrast, 85% of higher education institutions resorted to emergency remote classes in the fall of 2020.
Tyler has changed a lot from its earlier days in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. In the 1990s, it was somewhat isolated and didn’t emphasize technology in art education much. Today, Tyler is located in North Philly, close to Temple’s main campus, making it easier for students from different majors to enroll in art classes. Even though the number of fine arts majors has gone down, this arrangement helps keep enrollment steady.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), another well-known arts education program, ended its degree-granting programs in January to focus on its collections and exhibitions.
At Alfred University in Alfred, New York, the art school follows a similar trend. The presence of art classes accessible to all students helps keep their programs vibrant. When DCAD announced its closure, Alfred University President Mark Zupan offered displaced students the opportunity to transfer, matching DCAD’s tuition and aid.
Key Points:
- University-backed art schools have larger infrastructures and resources for things like building upkeep and advanced ventilation systems.
- These schools often incorporate technology and offer art courses to all students, not just art majors.
- Accessibility to a broader student body helps maintain enrollment and interest in arts programs.
- Schools like PAFA and Alfred University adapt to changing circumstances by focusing on sustainable models.
Mixing arts with other disciplines helps sustain these programs. For instance, it’s common at Alfred University to see non-arts majors, even athletes, participating in arts activities like dance performances. This blend enriches the campus culture and supports the continuity of arts education.
Proving the Value of an Arts Education
Art schools and major programs may offer stability, yet this doesn’t mean the journey is effortless. Lori Crawford, who leads the Visual Arts program at Delaware State University, points out that art majors often have to prove their worth more than students in fields like psychology or chemistry. The challenge is demonstrating that an arts education is a valuable investment.
Art programs can foster a sense of community and bring together diverse groups. For example, dance performances at the end of the year might even attract half the football team to attend, showing the broad appeal and support these programs can garner.
Alfred University president Mark Zupan emphasizes how these events highlight the cultural richness and interconnectedness within universities.
Despite the increasing number of job opportunities in the arts, many still believe there is no future or financial stability in this field.
However, the arts and culture industry in Delaware generated a significant $209.5 million in economic activity in 2022, leading to 3,330 jobs according to a local report. This statistic showcases the undeniable economic contributions of the arts.
Even so, the value of an art degree is sometimes questioned by parents and potential students. With intensive tech programs promising lucrative job offers after just a few months, the high cost of an art school education, often involving substantial loans, can seem hard to justify.
Yet, while technology and online platforms offer learning opportunities, certain art forms like glassblowing or ceramics require specialized studios and hands-on teaching, which aren’t easily replicated online.
Technology’s influence extends to digital art forms like photography and drawing, challenging traditional art schools to evolve. Independent art schools, even those with a long history, face the difficulty of justifying their existence in this rapidly changing landscape, as shown by the recent closing of several well-known institutions. This situation necessitates a reevaluation of how art education can adapt and continue to prove its worth in nurturing both creativity and viable career paths.
Art Education and Community Beyond College
Artists have many options beyond traditional college programs. One great example is makerspaces like NextFab.
After opening its Wilmington location in the Creative District in 2017, NextFab faced struggles during the pandemic and eventually closed that location in 2023. More recently, its South Philadelphia site also shut down, with efforts now geared toward strengthening its North Philadelphia community.
Melissa Guglielmo, who directs programming at NextFab and is a University of the Arts alum, deeply understands the challenges faced by artists. Melissa shared that graduating from an art school, she felt the weight of significant student loan debt. She noted that traditional art programs often lack business education, leaving students unprepared for entrepreneurial pursuits.
To address this, NextFab offers an artisan accelerator program supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Commerce Department. This initiative aims to fill the gaps left by traditional art education, providing artists with the tools to succeed in the business world.
NextFab isn’t alone in this mission. Other community art spaces in the region also play a vital role. Black Hound Clay Studios, Yay Clay in Philadelphia, and Rarehouse Studios and Bellefonte Arts in Delaware offer similar networking opportunities that help artists grow.
These spaces give artists a platform to connect, collaborate, and share their work, fulfilling roles that traditional institutions may overlook.
These art spaces not only offer access to tools and resources but also foster a sense of community. This support can be crucial for both established artists and those just starting out. They serve as hubs where artists can grow their crafts while learning how to navigate the business side of their careers.
Artists Won’t Become Business-Minded by Themselves
Many art schools today are embracing the need to teach business skills.
For instance, at Alfred University, students have options to blend their art education with business studies. They can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with a minor in business, or even take an additional year to focus on business exclusively.
This approach is important in today’s world. Schools that include business courses and embrace new technologies are better equipped to stay relevant and successful.
Jessica Ball from the Delaware Division of the Arts believes this too. Her strategies for art schools focus on financial stability, effective leadership, community engagement, and promoting diversity and inclusivity.
