News Release
Craft college expansion a boon to downtown, cultural community
January 15, 2010
A government initiative will separate the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design from the province's community college system.
Donald Arseneault, minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, talked about some of the plans for the college Thursday.
The government is investing $500,000 to expand the school as part of the province's plan to transform post-secondary education in New Brunswick.
The expansion will include upgrades to the Queen Street facility. The school will also become larger, taking over the adjacent Soldiers' Barracks.
Arseneault said the college will continue to operate within the department.
He said separating the institution from New Brunswick's community colleges will pave the way for growth.
"We're in a period of time where we believe that it needs to be on its own, outside the structure in order to have growth," Arseneault said.
"The new operating structure will help the college improve infrastructure, forge formal and informal partnerships with universities and other colleges to share expertise, offer joint programs, transfer credits and help undertake applied research and international activities."
The college will be designated as a centre for artistic and creative excellence when the expansion is complete.
Arseneault said a five-year plan is being developed, which will identify potential new programs, as well as improvements to existing ones.
He said the college and the department will work together to create a consultative board.
"(It) will include individuals from the public, private and the cultural sectors to provide advice on the future growth of the college," Arseneault said.
"You've got to have the right mix of people at the table."
The expansion will continue to emphasize Fredericton's label as a cultural capital, he said.
"This aligns with the plans to promote downtown Fredericton as a tourism destination, showcasing N.B. artists and artisans," he said.
Principal Michael Maynard said the school has been working toward expansion for many years. He said the plan will be beneficial to the school and to New Brunswick's artistic community.
"We are moving forward in a very strategic, very exciting and very powerful way," he said. "It means a lot to not only the staff and students in the college, but to the broader community of the culture sector."
Maynard said the announcement is evidence of New Brunswick's dedication to culture and the arts.
"The culture sector in this province is amazing," he said. "It's a powerful segment of our economy and our social development."