Merger confirmed by Dartington College of Arts and University College Falmouth
The Boards of Governors of University College Falmouth (UCF) and Dartington College of Arts (DCA) are pleased to confirm their decision to merge in April 2008. The institutions are grateful to the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) who have offered funding to enable the merger, and to the EU Convergence Partnership for their support in principle for this project.
The academic vision of the merged institution will focus on the expansion of Falmouth’s expertise in Art, Design and Media and Dartington’s expertise in Choreography, Music, Theatre, Art and Writing, in order to create an arts institution that will be unrivalled in the South West. The combined student population of c3,000 will grow to c4,000 by 2012 with Dartington’s provision relocating to new purpose-built accommodation at UCF in September 2010.
“This is a defining moment and one of the most significant developments in arts education in half a century,” said University College Falmouth Principal, Professor Alan Livingston.
“It is an historical achievement and creates a sustainable future for the Dartington ethos in Higher Education in contemporary arts practices, which will benefit future generations of artists, scholars and students in the South West region,” said Dartington College of Arts Principal, Professor Andrew Brewerton.
The merger will pave the way for a new specialist Arts University in Cornwall in 2012, creating a Higher Education institution unique to the South West.
By 2020 the merger will create and sustain high quality jobs and play a significant role in the enhancement of business creativity throughout the Cornish economy and the South West Region. The new institution will be a key part of the cultural and social regeneration of Cornwall and will further enhance the region’s important role in the creative industries sector.
Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said: “The announcement of merger by the Boards of University College Falmouth and Dartington College of Arts is very good news. It will enable the distinctive HE provision offered by Dartington College of Arts to be secured. It also offers an exciting vision of a new specialist arts university supporting the creative industries to be developed in Cornwall. The task now is to deliver on that vision.”
“This is a hugely significant development for the Combined Universities in Cornwall partnership,” said CUC Executive Director, Dr Ian Tunbridge. “Together we have already created a remarkable university infrastructure for the county. Our ambition under Convergence is to go much further, to create truly world class centres of excellence which will make Cornwall stand out from the crowd. The proposed Arts University in Cornwall will do just that, becoming a source of both pride and prosperity for us all. I would like to congratulate all those whose vision and determination has led to this important announcement.”
For more information, visit www.falmouth.ac.uk and www.dartington.ac.uk
Ends
For further information about this media statement, please contact: Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4RH, Telephone: 01326 213792, or email: jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk
Copyright © 2011 University College Falmouth. All Rights Reserved.
