Editor:
On Sept. 18, the TRU Senate will hear from stakeholders about the potential elimination of the bachelors of fine arts (BFA) program. It will then advise the board of governors, which will ultimately make the decision to eliminate or recommend a review and revision of the program.
As president of the board of trustees for the Kamloops Arts Gallery (KAG) and a donor of the arts, particularly the visual arts, I support the continuation of the BFA program at TRU.
Our family believes a strong arts community provides a cultural balance much needed in Kamloops.
The BFA program is key to the sustainability and growth of the visual arts as a whole in Kamloops.
While the BFA program provides a local opportunity for artists to envision and refine their art practice, these same students are strongly linked with our nationally recognized KAG and our arts communities through gallery exhibitions, studio programs and employment opportunities.
At the KAG, we believe it is essential to take risks and provide challenging exhibitions with a multiplicity of viewpoints. I ask TRU to also uphold this mantle and ensure future artists are academically supported on their creative journey. I call on all TRU senators and the board of governors to support the review and revision of the BFA program with the intention of continuing to offer a full BFA program into the future.
Pamela Fawcett
president, KAG board of trustees
