Rumor has it that the HCC Art Department is going away and all the studios are to be "dismantled!" Has anyone heard otherwise?

Anyway, as an artist and a longtime art student at HCC, I am quite upset by this news. As a community of artists, what can be done to protest this action?

Have you contacted the administration, or Student Government Association to see if there's any truth to these rumors?

a bit off topic but i need to rant...
I've been looking into the schools in my area, checking out what each has to offer as my son will be entering kindergarten in the fall. I was quite surprised at how many of the public schools have no art teacher on staff! It's a shame that when the budget gets tight, the art and music programs are the first to get axed. I'm actually considering private school at this point, art is such a great outlet for the imagination and shouldn't be stifled in a young child!

Well, when the 3 R's can barely be taught, something has to go. Let's see, do I want my kid to be able to read or do I want my kid to bring home a pretty picture. It sucks that art/music get cut, but it seems like a no-brainer if you have to cut something.

The "rumor" IS from the Art Department Administration.

Liberals are so darn philanthropic -- when spending taxpayer money.

If that's the kind of ideas you come up with if you get art and music classes in school then perhaps it is for the best that those classes are getting cut!

I'll bet back when TB was in school the inflation-adjusted per-pupil spending was much lower than now, and admin positions got much less as a % of the budget than they do now.

What's the problem with HCC Art's program? Is it not generating enough students to be viable?

The word around HCC is that current "higher ups" do not support visual art programs and believe community colleges should not offer such academics.

The HCC Art Program is alive and doing quite well. Most of the classes offered are usually overbooked! Students pay "studio fees" in addition to tuition to cover any extra costs that might be generated. The courses include jewelry making, sculpture, ceramics (both beginning and advanced), drawing, painting, photography, design, printmaking, graphic art, computer-generated art, etc.

HCC's Art Department IS THE COMMUNITY ART CENTER! There are no other art venues of this type in the area. The HCC Art Department does more for the community then just provide studio space for local artists. Each year, the ceramic students donate hundreds of bowls for the local "Potter's Bowl" which turns all proceeds over to the Hagerstown Community Free Clinic. Without an art department and/or studio space, the "Potters Bowl" will probably falter.

It will be a sad day when/if the art department closes. There will be a hole in a vital part of our community.

While I don't dispute that HCC provides valuable resources to the community thru its Arts Department, and that it does draw a large number of interested individuals, I would think that anyone seriously considering a career in the arts might not be better served in a venue such as the Maryland Institute College of Art or some other such school.

I've always thought that HCC was an excellent place to get a basic background in any number of careers (I'm an HJC graduate, myself), I've always felt that extremely specialized education may be better handled by more specialized schools.

Don't get me wrong, Moonchild, I agree with you that HCC shouldn't drop the Arts Curricula, I'm just saying that I can see where the administration is coming from.

If the arts program is doing well, and paying its way, I see no reason to drop it unless space is at such a premium that other, even more popular courses, need the space.

If it is so important to you, why not ask to meet with the dean to discuss it? And if you meet resistance, ask the HM to do a story on it, call/write local legislators, etc. Fight for it.

Hi Everyone

First let me say I am trying to be careful what I say here. I go to school, am a student worker and am President of Phi Theta Kappa the Honor Society on campus. I do not speak for the college.

Now, you did hit something on the head Snoopy about space being at a premium. The building that houses most of the Art Programs along with Nursing and Rad Tech is going to be shutdown and renovated this fall. It is my opinion that is why these rumors are going around.

I have never heard one piece of info on campus that would make me believe that Art would be eliminated. Not to mention the fact many programs including General Studies require Art.

Also, the Fall schedule is out. I count roughly 20 Art courses being taught this Fall.

Before anyone gets all upset and starts a campaign I would suggest calling the college and asking. I would suggest you ask for Public Relations if they can't answer your questions they can put you in contact with the rigght person.

Sincerely
Tony Campello

The Fall schedule does not include ceramics. The administration is scrambling to find locations for the other scheduled classes. Some of the classes will be held in the basement of the Fine Arts Museum. I'm not sure how the evening classes will be accommodated as the museum closes early.

The planned "Arts and Science" building is scheduled for completion in 4-5 years. What will HCC do with all the equipment in the studio until then? Put it in storage? Auction it off? Also, the planned art department will only be a total of 800 square feet (including the office). It is currently approximately 3600 square feet.

According to recent articles in the Herald Mail, art is alive and well in Washington County.

Quoted from Monday, April 18, 2005 - Exhibit for the Young at Art---"According to the museum's Web site, the exhibit… features hundreds of works from students in the county's 40 public schools." And "There's some enormously talented [art] students in Washington County, and you see it at every level…"

Quoted from Thursday April 21, 2005 - Parking Deck Called 'Critical for Downtown Redevelopment'---"...officials from the City of Hagerstown and Washington County took a few minutes Wednesday to officially mark the beginning of construction on the Arts and Entertainment District Parking Deck.

It is my hope, and the hope of other HCC art students, that this is NOT be the beginning of the end of the HCC art program.

Hi Moonchild

It isn't just Art students who are being shuffled around during this time. I tutor students on a variety of subjects and we will have just as hard of a time finding space for that. At least in the cases of classes you can get space scheduled.

It is going to be hard for a couple of years but it has to be done. Most of the buildings need redone.

If you aren't sure what is going on go ask. Dean Rudy always has an open door to students. Go to an SGA meeting. Have you ever gone to one? That is a place your concerns can be raised.

Honestly you aren't doing yourself any good listening to rumors and all on campus or here. Go to the source and ask for an answer. The college has been very open about what the plans are for the future. It is just that many people haven't bothered to look at them.

Sincerely
Tony Campello