[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: ART SCHOOL MERGERS RISK CALLAN PARK HERITAGE AND THREATEN SPECIALIST FOCUS

[Jenny Leong]

MEDIA RELEASE - TUESDAY 21 JUNE 2016
FROM THE MEMBER FOR BALMAIN JAMIE PARKER
ART SCHOOL MERGERS RISK CALLAN PARK HERITAGE AND THREATEN SPECIALIST FOCUS
The University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney have signed a Heads of Agreement for the Sydney College of Arts (SCA) to merge into UNSW Art and Design.
The college at Callan Park, Rozelle, is set to transfer to UNSW Art & Design, with students set to complete their SCA courses at the UNSW campus in Paddington.
Read the Inner West Courier article here<http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/the-sydney-college-of-arts-based-at-rozelle-will-cease-to-exist-after-university-of-sydney-and-university-of-nsw-agree-on-merger/news-story/c5e3a43341bd0c5d89b802f9ee565d4f>
"This decision is more about cost saving than it is about arts excellence. Combining these three very different art schools together risks diluting the unique individual strengths of each organisation," said Mr Parker.
"SCA has a more conceptual and academic focus, which is very different to the design ign focus or traditional arts approach of the National Art School or the College of Fine Arts (UNSW)."
"With the University abandoning the Rozelle campus, it reinforces the need for the state government to expedite a properly funded, independent Callan Park Trust to protect the whole site from subdivision or sale in the future."
"With the Kirkbride buildings now set to become vacant, the Minister and the Office of Environment and Heritage must commit to urgently finalising the Callan Park Master Plan, establishing the Callan Park Trust and allocating adequate funding to safeguard the whole site from demolition-by-neglect or being sold off to developers."

Further comment - Jamie Parker on 0418 428 089




Dan Buhagiar
Office of Jenny Leong, Member for Newtown
383 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Phone: 02 9517 2800 | Fax: 02 9517 2200 | Media: 0499 550 996
Website<http://www.jennyleong.org/> | Facebook<https://facebook.com/greens.jennyleong> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/jennyleong>

Our office is on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge their ownership of this land and pay our respects to past, present and emerging elders.

[cid:image004.jpg at 01D0E4B1.FBFAB400]