On August 14th, students and faculty were informed that the UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) will no longer be associated with the Star Store in downtown New Bedford. The Star Store serves as a vital space for CVPA students and staff and is a crucial part of UMass Dartmouth and the culture of New Bedford.

The Star Store has been associated with the school for over 20 years, solidifying an artistic and creative relationship between students and community members. Many people, including students, faculty, and residents of the city have greatly benefited from the presence of the Star Store as it not only provides crucial studio and classroom space for the University’s art classes, but also aids in creating a strong sense of community in New Bedford. The Star Store has provided a sense of home and community to CVPA students for the past 20+ years and it is extremely important to the students as well as the city of New Bedford. Denying CVPA students the use of this space is not only deeply upsetting but also unfair to what we were promised when choosing UMass Dartmouth. The Star Store has also been home to many community and student-based events like poetry and music nights, art shows showcasing student and local artists’ work, and educational events open to the public. 

As of right now, the plan is to move everything from the Star Store to the main campus, but this would likely prove inadequate as a solution. The space that the Star Store provides for faculty and students is absolutely crucial to our success and would be a truly devastating loss.

Please sign this petition to help us save the Star Store for the students and the entire New Bedford community! Stop neglecting art students! Art matters, and so do we!