On May 31st, it was announced that the University of the Arts will close imminently on June 7th via the Philadelphia Inquirer.

1. One of Philadelphia’s greatest strengths is its artistic and cultural institutions.
2.  Imminent closure has violated the WARN act, by giving staff and faculty 7 days notice instead of the required 60 days notice of a massive layoff
3. The University of the Arts Board failed to provide supplant information on its imminent closure required by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education requested by May 30th at 12pm E.T. The MSCHE received the information past the deadline and the information was insufficient.
4. Enforce job security and educational security for all students, faculty, and staff.
5. Per closure, communication on the future of historic equipment and materials amongst the various school programs. No communication on actions of preservation for these materials.
6. The University of the Arts is an institution that is over 150 years old, it is the only university on the east coast of the United States dedicated to art, design, film, dance, music, theater and creative writing and it is the only remaining undergraduate arts program on the South Broad Street corridor, known as the Avenue of the Arts
7. The University of the Arts is comprised of a gifted and passionate community of student and faculty artists who make diverse artistic contributions which help activate the soul and vibrancy of the City of Philadelphia and is one of the cornerstone institutions contributing to the artists of the future.
8. The decision to close The University of the Arts is a devastating blow to the students, faculty members, alumni, donors, City of Philadelphia and beyond.
9.  The decision was made prematurely and abruptly, and a closure of such a historic and valuable institution in this manner is unprecedented. Closure was announced in an impersonal manner through local news sources and social media. Uarts community members weren’t addressed until 2 hours following the post.
10. The circumstances have not been appropriately communicated to various stakeholders, and many potential solutions have yet to be explored.
11. If we do not do what is necessary to stop the closure and evaluate options to save it, it will result in irreparable damage to our city’s artistic and cultural community and the loss of a genuine and truly unique local treasure.

Help Students of University of the Arts protect art education at a higher level of learning. Protect faculty to continue to educate and  indulge students in the curiosity of art. We are seeking for help from the City of Philadelphia, Councilman, Mayor of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania Representatives, and Governor of Pennsylvania, and Federal Representatives to interfere and help keep UArts open!