Province, NSCAD Agree on Recommendations to Protect Fine Arts Education

NOTE: The eight recommendations from Howard Windsor's report follow this release.

The province and NSCAD University have agreed to implement special advisor Howard Windsor's eight recommendations aimed at making the university sustainable and protecting fine arts education in Nova Scotia.

"NSCAD and the government understand the importance of the creative sector to Nova Scotia's economy and to its cultural fabric," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More. "We all want fine arts education to thrive in this province."

Mr. Windsor's recommendations require NSCAD to fully investigate collaboration with other post-secondary institutions as it develops a plan to become sustainable. NSCAD's financial plan must be submitted to Ms. More by March 31. NSCAD must also work with a provincial facilitator to ensure it is making progress on the options for collaboration. In return, the province will provide NSCAD with a one-time $2.4-million investment to address its growing deficit.

"NSCAD's board of governors and administration now have a better understanding of how serious their financial situation is and how committed the province is to finding a solution," said Ms. More.

In September, Ms. More and NSCAD agreed to have Mr. Windsor prepare a report recommending options to ensure a strong and sustainable future for fine arts education in the province. His report is posted at www.gov.ns.ca/lae/dept/docs/NSCADReport.pdf

"Over the past months, I consulted with NSCAD's students, faculty and staff, and with leaders in the province's arts and university communities," said Mr. Windsor. "I believe these recommendations are vital to ensuring NSCAD's future."

NSCAD's financial problems are not sudden, new or a surprise, says the report, adding that NSCAD is operating at a loss equal to more than 10 per cent of its annual budget. NSCAD owes about $19 million.

Last year, the province gave NSCAD $1.4 million to address its deficit, in addition to an $8.5 million provincial operating grant.

Between 2004-05 and 2010-11, NSCAD received the second largest percentage funding increase (86 per cent) of all Nova Scotia universities. It also received the second highest provincial operating grant per FTE student, compared to Canada's other three arts schools.

The financial pressures arise mainly from the university proceeding with its Port Campus before all the funding was confirmed. Additional financial pressures include payroll increases and operating costs.

The province provided $4.75 million for the Port Campus in 2006, and NSCAD expected matching amounts to come from Ottawa and fundraising. NSCAD raised about $2.5 million privately and federal funding did not come through.

With a combined full-time and part-time student enrolment of 1,013, NSCAD is the smallest of Canada's four regional art schools.

Following are the eight recommendations from Howard Windsor's report:

1--To support the ongoing operation of NSCAD and the government's commitment to fine arts education, the province should provide up to $2.4 million to NSCAD for 2011-12 with conditions.

2--The province should stipulate that the plan submitted by NSCAD, pursuant to the Dec. 8 resolutions of the board of governors, not include, or depend on, additional capital grants from the province or any growth in the provincial grant beyond what has already been committed.

3--The province should stipulate that NSCAD immediately investigate collaborative arrangements with other post-secondary institutions in relation to governance, curriculum, administration, shared services, facilities and any other matter that could contribute to the viability of the University.

4--To inform its planning and collaboration with other institutions, the province should stipulate that NSCAD initiate a review of its programs and curriculum, and a space utilization study of the three NSCAD sites.

5--The province should appoint a facilitator, reporting to the deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education, to work with NSCAD in the development of collaboration agreements. The facilitator should assist in identifying opportunities for collaboration and ensure that they are rigorously assessed and evaluated. The facilitator should also work with NSCAD to oversee the curriculum review and space utilization study.

6--The province's future decisions with respect to NSCAD should be dependent on NSCAD's adherence to the intent of the collaboration process and the resolutions adopted by the NSCAD board of governors on Dec. 8.

7--The province should ensure that the facilitator closely monitors progress on the resolutions of Dec. 8, approved by the NSCAD University board of governors. The facilitator should provide a monthly progress report to the deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education.

8--The province should ensure that any collaboration agreements recognize and protect the NSCAD brand and the studio-based, multi-disciplinary curriculum of NSCAD.