Spring Break
Fine Arts Center Galleries remain open despite budget crisis
Tyler Will
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: News
10/10/08 - Art galleries in the University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center, which have housed unique art collections since the 1970s, are going to remain open despite a budget crisis that Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Winifred Brownell said was the "worst" she can remember. Brownell has been with URI since 1971.
During the summer, the galleries were thought to be doomed for closure.
When $17 million in budget cuts were handed down from the state, academic departments had to cut $12 million. The College of Arts and Sciences had to cut $3 million. The galleries cost the university about $170,000 a year, Brownell said, which includes the payroll, installation and other costs.
While the galleries were spared, the college cut the curator position. Curator Judith Tolnick Champa negotiated her retirement.
The proposal to close the galleries drew sympathy from newspapers, including the South County Independent and the Providence Journal. A Web site called "Friends of the Fine Arts Center Galleries" has press releases related to the galleries' closing and statements from URI President Robert L. Carothers and Provost of Academic Affairs Donald DeHayes. A Facebook group called "Save the Galleries!!" includes 571 members.
The galleries also continue to draw support from a number of corporations, including Fidelity Investments. Fidelity has bought student and professional artwork shown in the URI galleries for its collection, Brownell said.
She added that Fidelity also participates in juried exhibitions, where students submit work to be in an art show, and a panel of judges chooses a winner. Fidelity has also provided prize money in the past, Brownell said.
"It's wonderful," she said. "In many ways, corporations today have replaced the kings and queens who were once a patron of the greatest artists. [Fidelity] have become incredible patrons of the arts."
A statement by Tolnick Champa on National Public Radio in July said the galleries not only brought corporate support, but put URI on the cultural and tourism maps. The statement also said it drew attention to URI's profile, and that the arts have become an increasingly important source of state revenue.
During the summer, the galleries were thought to be doomed for closure.
When $17 million in budget cuts were handed down from the state, academic departments had to cut $12 million. The College of Arts and Sciences had to cut $3 million. The galleries cost the university about $170,000 a year, Brownell said, which includes the payroll, installation and other costs.
While the galleries were spared, the college cut the curator position. Curator Judith Tolnick Champa negotiated her retirement.
The proposal to close the galleries drew sympathy from newspapers, including the South County Independent and the Providence Journal. A Web site called "Friends of the Fine Arts Center Galleries" has press releases related to the galleries' closing and statements from URI President Robert L. Carothers and Provost of Academic Affairs Donald DeHayes. A Facebook group called "Save the Galleries!!" includes 571 members.
The galleries also continue to draw support from a number of corporations, including Fidelity Investments. Fidelity has bought student and professional artwork shown in the URI galleries for its collection, Brownell said.
She added that Fidelity also participates in juried exhibitions, where students submit work to be in an art show, and a panel of judges chooses a winner. Fidelity has also provided prize money in the past, Brownell said.
"It's wonderful," she said. "In many ways, corporations today have replaced the kings and queens who were once a patron of the greatest artists. [Fidelity] have become incredible patrons of the arts."
A statement by Tolnick Champa on National Public Radio in July said the galleries not only brought corporate support, but put URI on the cultural and tourism maps. The statement also said it drew attention to URI's profile, and that the arts have become an increasingly important source of state revenue.
