13.07.07
Dartington College of Arts and University College Falmouth agree to merger

The creation of a new university for the arts in the South West has taken a major step forward with Dartington College of Arts (DCA) and University College Falmouth (UCF) formally agreeing to merge from January 1 next year.

The merger would see DCA's activities relocate to new purpose-built accommodation at Falmouth from September 2010. The combined institution would have 3,000 students, growing to some 4,000 by 2012.

University status would be applied for around that time, creating a unique combination in Higher Education in the UK of art, design, media and performance arts.

The decision to merge, which is still subject to funding approval, was taken by the Boards of Governors of both institutions today (July 13) and follows a decision in May by both Boards to explore merger opportunities.

Professor Andrew Brewerton, Principal of Dartington College of Arts, said: "This agreement is a huge step forward in the creation of a unique university for the arts in the South West and safeguards Dartington's sustainable future in the region while respecting its ethos and values.

"The new university will be a powerful magnet for creative talent, and make a significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural regeneration and prosperity of Cornwall and the wider South West region."

Professor Alan Livingston, Principal of University College Falmouth, said: "This merger is based on a twin vision – academic and economic, and will be pioneering in Higher Education in the creative sector.

"A new university for the arts will be academically distinctive, internationally recognised, business-facing, and socially and economically relevant to the development of the regional economy."

The next steps will include the appointment of a project director to oversee the planning and preparation for the merger.

The project would see almost £20 million invested in new facilities and would form part of the next phase of the development of the Combined Universities in Cornwall.

Funding bids will be made through Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's new European Convergence Programme and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

The decision to merge follows an independent report commissioned by both institutions to investigate the viability of a merger and how it would work in practice.

The report, by JM Consulting, concludes: "The creative industries are particularly important for Cornwall and the South West, and the merger of these two distinguished specialist institutions provides an exceptional opportunity to raise the level of economic impact in this sector.

"Indeed, it is hard to imagine any other investment in the region of £20 million that could be made in Cornwall that could have such a multiplier effect in generating sustainable and long-term benefits for the region."

For further information contact Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth on 01326 213792 or email jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Copies of the JM Consulting report and the resolution from the Boards of Governors of both Dartington College of Arts and University College Falmouth will be available to download from Monday July 16 from the DCA and UCF websites at:

www.dartington.ac.uk
www.falmouth.ac.uk

Dartington College of Arts was founded in 1961 by the Dartington Hall Trust following three decades of international experimental artistic and educational community in music, theatre, dance and fine art. As a specialist University Sector College specialising in contemporary performance arts, the College enjoys an international profile for teaching, research and creative enterprise.
The College has 680 students (568 undergraduate; 60 Masters; and 50 postgraduate research) and is based at the Dartington Hall Estate near Totnes, South Devon.

University College Falmouth was founded as Falmouth School of Art in 1902. It has evolved to become internationally renowned for its undergraduate and postgraduate courses in art, design and media. In March 2004, its standing and quality were recognised when the Privy Council granted the College the power to award its own taught degrees.

The College has 2,200 students and is based at the Woodlane Campus in Falmouth and the Tremough Campus at Penryn, which is the hub of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative.

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through Higher Education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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