I was very pleased with the announcement that the University of
Waterloo, the City of Stratford and the Stratford Festival of Canada
are taking the first steps toward opening a liberal arts college in
downtown Stratford. Stratford is perfect for a liberal arts college. I
realize the bulk of the details, including the programs to be offered
and the number of students, have yet to be determined. I would like to
suggest a creative arts first
degree program. It should allows students to specialize in and across
the creative
arts: creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. The Festival
itself could provide specific professional training for the college; the college would provide the foundation
education. I see the Stratford campus providing a valuable preparation
for a variety of career
paths and for leadership and management within the arts sector,
including the professions of actor, art gallery director, arts manager,
arts critic, designer for theatre or film, film maker, journalist,
photographer, public policy in the arts, theatre director, teacher,
university lecturer, visual artist, writer. I would also suggest the
University consider reviving its creative dance program at such a
campus. This is indeed a very exciting proposal.