Bemidji State University’s Art Program is Dwindling

Programs being cut this University has some Choices to Make
By Miranda Milless


 The art program at Bemidji State University is located in a four floor building covering the two bottom floors. This is where students are molded into understanding and mastering art in many ways, but with budget cuts hurting so many other programs, cutting this program has been a thought from the start.

Photographer: Jenny Smith

The program is not being cut completely; more or less shrunk and combined with design technology. Many teachers have seen a sad day and have been asked to part ways with BSU. This leaving only three teachers left in the art department, not including the design technology teachers. This will limit classes for students that want to pursue an art degree. With limited teachers there will be limited room in classes as well.

Along with most of the art program, the theatre program has been cut. People are not happy about it and have been protesting to save these departments. “They seem to have been able to find enough money to build a new facility for hockey and other things, but they can’t put it in their budget to help out the fine arts?” said Jennifer Kennedy, a student majoring in art. Students have taken action and made groups suck like on Facebook to discuss their feelings on such acts by BSU.

On a positive note, one teacher has been given a great opportunity after losing her job at BSU. Linda Brown has been given the chance to go back and get her Master’s degree. Upon deciding to go back to school, she had received great news about getting a scholarship. “I am just on cloud nine right now, I was just going to go to a meeting and checked my email before and got the news about this scholarship.” Brown had mentioned while talking to a few old colleagues. She will start her studies in Italy and pursue her dreams. Of course, other teachers won’t be so fortunate in recovering from this blow.

Photographer: Jenny Smith

“I think it’s pretty sad what they’ve decided to do with the arts. I lucked out being a senior this year, but I feel really bad for the underclass who are being let down by the university.” said Lindsey Luberta, an art major at BSU. For those who are juniors and seniors this year will be able to finish out their degree but others are not so fortunate. Some people will probably transfer or maybe just give up with the school and change majors. Others will probably just go along with their plan to join the art program with design technology and see what they can get out of it. Art is a pretty important piece that will soon be gone for some majors and minors here at BSU. What will be cut next is what many are asking. Art is some people only way of life, and with this cut will change a lot of things.