SUMMER ARTS CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS ON HOLD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2001

Fairbanks, Alaska – Citing lack of assurances for the delivery of a quality program as the overriding factor in his decision, University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Liberal Arts Dean John Leipzig today announced the two-year hiatus of a popular summer fine arts camp for middle to high school students.

"It's an extremely difficult decision for us." Leipzig said. "The College of Liberal Arts has hosted either a music or fine arts camp since 1964. But the final figures for the last camp have just come in and we're running a $318,000 deficit."
"Coupled with the uncertainty over space issues as the Fine Arts Complex undergoes multi-million dollar, multi-year renovations, we decided that there were too many logistical challenges involved to assure our campers that we could deliver a quality program."

The four-week program, offering a variety of classes—from tap dancing and theater lighting to jazz band and jewelry making—has attracted students from sixth grade through high school, along with guest artists, from throughout Alaska and the lower-48 states.

Former camp students include actor Sven Holmberg, who appeared in a 1999 TV Dukes of Hazzard reunion show; singer Vivica Genaux, who debuted in the 1998 New York Metropolitan Opera production "The Barber of Seville;" and percussionist Cayenna Ponchione, a Fairbanks native who also taught orchestra at her local high school.

"We're certainly proud of the students that attend and the caliber of instruction we have been able to offer, but it became clear this past summer at the camp that the construction crunch on campus would have an impact on program delivery," Leipzig said.

UAF currently has about $55 million worth of deferred maintenance and renovation funding appropriated for and committed to construction projects in the next three years. Projects include the $18.6 million Rasmuson Library renewal project, part of the Fine Arts Complex, and nearly $20 million planned for revitalization and renovation of the music, art and theater departments.

Recognizing the importance of the program to prospective students, former students and the Fairbanks community, Leipzig said a camp steering committee has been meeting since last September to look at all issues relating to the camp.

"We don't want the momentum of this important program to be lost," Leipzig said, "I've asked the committee to now focus their energy over the next several months to develop a plan to take the camp to the next level."

The CLA dean, who oversees the largest college on the UAF campus with academic programs ranging from arts and communication, to humanities and social science, said he will ask the group to build a business plan that will move the camp to a totally self-supporting unit, separate from the college.

"I have no reservations about saying the camp will be back. It's going to be a different camp, one that has evolved to meet a changing environment."

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CONTACT: UAF CONTACT: UAF College of Liberal Arts Dean John Leipzig, 907-474-7231.

DPD/11-30-01/2-025