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CULTURAL LANDSCAPING THEATRE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN LAUNCESTON

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 Cultural Strategy For Launceston and City Deal & Cultural Strategy
FROM  THE EXAMINER - 10/10/2018
'UTAS confirms commitment to theatre subject in Launceston, after curriculum changes ........ Caitlin Jarvis ............. University of Tasmania has reconfirmed its commitment to theatre in Launceston after a restructure of its contemporary arts degree. Reports were made on Monday that Launceston theatre students would be forced to seek interstate courses after the Bachelor of Contemporary Art was axed from UTAS’ curriculum................. However, theatre as a subject will still be offered in Launceston but theatre will now be offered as a major under the Bachelor of Arts................. Arts, law and education executive Dean Kate Darian-Smith said no student would be disadvantaged under the changes.................  “The university remains committed to a theatre program in Launceston that is community and industry led, and our vision of having the Inveresk Precinct as a vibrant cultural community space reflects this approach,” Professor Darian-Smith said................. “As the flagship major, it is being offered as part of a strategy to increase the numbers of students in the Bachelor of Arts in Launceston and with a view to growing theatre and performance in Northern Tasmania.” ................ However, the changes have earned the ire of the Theatre Council of Tasmania, who urged UTAS to rethink................. “The level of talent in the performing arts sector in Tasmania is extraordinary, as shown by the more than 50 theatre productions judged each year for the Tasmanian Theatre Awards”, president Peter Sexton said................. “Once our talented young people move to another state, it is very difficult to persuade them to return. It is therefore very important for the University of Tasmania to rethink this decision urgently.”................ One of the key changes is students will be able to undertake a second disciplinary major via their eight electives. Previously, students were only able to complete one minor in a second area of study................. “The introduction of a second disciplinary major allows for greater career opportunities including a supervised work placement with local festival and performance groups,” Professor Darian-Smith said......................... The reports raised the concern of Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam, who said he had sought assurances from the university about the changes. “Our state has earned a reputation as a flourishing cultural hub, and it’s concerning to see a university degree that can help grow this reputation is being changed,” he said. ....................... “As an advocate for Tasmanians being able to study their choice of subject here in the State, it’s concerning to see that the University has decided to restructure its only theatre degree offered.”........................ He said the university had provided assurances that no student would be worse off under the changes.

UTAS says theatre changes are not cause for alarm, as concern grows among art community • Caitlin Jarvis................. ART CHANGES: UTAS has reiterated its commitment to theatre in Launceston, despite growing community concern. Picture: file Concern over theatre programs at the University of Tasmania in Launceston is growing among the city’s art community, despite continued assurances from the tertiary education provider.................. Reports were made on Monday UTAS had axed its theatre programs from Launceston after it revealed the Bachelor of Contemporary Art would no longer be offered in the state from next year.................. Instead, theatre will now be offered as a major under the broader Bachelor of Arts degree, which the university says would make it available to more students.................. However, concern has been growing in Launceston’s theatre community, with Three River Theatre president Cameron Hindrum penning an open letter to UTAS.................. Theatre units are offered currently under the Bachelor of Contemporary Arts as a specialisation, but not a major, and theatre is not offered as a bachelor degree in its own right.................. UTAS Theatre head Jane Woollard and lecturer Asher Warren said the changes would put the theatre model on a sustainable footing. “We have been working to improve the program we offer, to grow our student numbers and to open up theatre to many more people,” Dr Woollard said.................. “Our students will learn technical skills and will have exciting opportunities to work with festivals and create new work.” Dr Woollard and Dr Warren said it was crucial the community understood theatre would still be offered and based in Launceston. All current students will graduate with the Bachelor of Contemporary Arts but no new students will be enrolled from next year. “We’ve considered the best theatre offerings around the country and consulted with stakeholders as we developed what is a strong, contemporary program,” Dr Woollard said.................. “This new model also makes theatre much more accessible because students who want to gain theatre skills and knowledge will be able to do so without taking the major.”................. Mr Hindrum said he was “appalled” at the decision, which was one of several that had led to the “disintegration of the Theatre School” in Launceston.................. “I am appalled at the highly opaque manner in which UTAS management have overseen the gradual disintegration of the Theatre School. It is impossible to accurately fathom the benefit, the richness, the value or the impact this program has had on the lives and careers of generations of theatre practitioners,” Mr Hindrum said in his letter. He said no community consultation had been done on the issue, but UTAS said consultation with art stakeholders and the school community had been completed.................. “It may be too late to request some transparency or some consultation regarding this decision, but the senior management of the university must not escape accountability for it. They have not acted in the best interests of Tasmania’s ‘flourishing’ performing arts scene but merely in the best interests of their own profit margin,” Mr Hindrum said.

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