24 Planet of the Arts / May-June 1996 - We belong Here = continued from page 2 There is a well-meaning concern among administrators to improve ' the integration of part-time students in the school. Telling people to sign up for diploma status does very little to accomplish this however — except on paper. Changes to non-diploma and part-time status are still a ways down the road, so the best thing to do right now is to be aware of the issues and to seek a thorough discussion of them. What is crucial is involving part-time and non-diploma students in such discussions. Fairness demands that changes to their opportunities not be made without looking them in the eye and giving them a chance to state their case. Their view point does not seem to be finding much expression from the “insider” students who are charged with the task of convey- ing the students’ viewpoint to the powers that be. If it were otherwise, why isn’t it a huge deal that non-diploma concerns have been omitted from the latest version of the Institute’s mission statement. What's the merit of grandstanding on ECIAD’s place in a globalizing economy when the school hasn’t got an ade- quate grasp on issues and concerns in its own messy backyard. Nees students at ECIAD should stop being treated like an underclass. To dismiss all but a few of them as “beginner artists” is both patronizing and misguided. In the impending collision course over resources between bureau- cracy and creativity, let’s hope the bureaucrats remember the non- bureaucratic ideals without which ECIAD would be just another art-poser hangout with a bureaucratic attitude to match. Non-diploma students validate this institution politically, economi- Two Th u m D S U cally and culturally as much or more than any other student con- p stituency. “@ to the Store The Business Plan for ECIAD’S future retail store is in. The prospects looks good. It’s just going to take our will to make it happen. The following are a couple of excerpts from the Business Plan, which was prepared by members of the UBC Venture Entrepreneurs Program in consultation with the ECIAD Budgetary Review Committee. Are you in favour of the Art Store? Faculty Yes — 87% of respondents Students Yes — 96% of respondents What should the art store stock? Artwork Services Souvenirs Other Faculty 80% 59% 72% 26% Students 95% 63% 51% 26% It is anticipated that the store will provide a “unique” shopping expe- rience, by adhering to the following criteria: - a “virtual” store concept, offering products which are not necessari- ly on physical display in the store; - use of advanced technology, such as video monitors, a computer terminal, and projector, to display inventory not in the store. - utilize bright colours, innovative lighting, and creative display modes; - detailed information prominently displayed describing artist and individual pieces of art available to consumers. It has been determined that, for a retail art store to be considered a success it is necessary that a number of non-market objectives are sat- isfied. As stated above, these non financial institutional benefits will include: raising profile and increasing public awareness of ECIAD, increasing recognition of the art work of both students and faculty, exposing students to the business side of the art world, and attract- ing corporate sponsorship. It is envisioned that ultimately the store will serve as the focal point, or locus, for a number of inter-related commercial “interface” oppor- tunities between ECIAD, the art community. -receives the endorsement and full support of a majority of ECIAD faculty and students; -positively received by ECIAD alumni, patrons and other affiliates; -product offerings reflect the full range of curricular diversity at ECIAD; -ability of staff to knowledgeably inform customers about individual artist, and about the specific nature and purposes of the items of art and design offered for sale; -provides a distinctive and unique shopping environment, -the above-noted non financial objectives; -financial viable, operating at a level above break-even within first 2 years if operation. <@ photo credit: Shawn Nygren 24 Planet of the Arts / May-June 1996 We belong Here There is a well meaning concern among administrators to improve the integration of part-time students in the school. Telling people to sign up for diploma status does very litle to accomplish this however ‘except on paper. ‘Changes to non-diploma and parttime status are stil aways down the road, so the best thing to do right now is to be aware of the issues and to seek a thorough discussion of them, What is crucial is involving part-time and non-diploma students in such discussions, Faimess demands that changes to their opportunities not be made without looking them in the eye and giving them a chance to state their case Their view point does not seem to be finding much expression from the “insider” students who are charged with the task of convey: ing the students viewpoint to the powers that be. Ifitwere otherwise, why isn’t it a huge deal that non-diploma concerns have been omitted from the latest version of the Institute's ‘mission statement. What’ the merit of grandstanding on ECIAD's place in a globalizing economy when the school hasn't got an ade- {quate grasp on issues and concerns in its own messy backyatd. Noon-pioma students at EAD should sop beng treated ke an underclass al but few of tema begets”: beth atoning and misguided. Inthe impending colin course over sources between urea racy an reat, et’ hope the buat remember the non bureaucrat des thou which EIAD would be ust another “hase hy nn Two Thumbs Up =—— to the Store ‘The Business Plan for ECIAD’' future etal store isin. The prospects ooks good. It’s just going to take our will to make it happen. The following are a couple of excerpts from the Business Plan, which was prepared by members of the UBC Venture Entrepreneurs rogram in consultation with the ECIAD Budgetary Review Committee ‘Are you in favour of the Art Store? Faculty Yes -87% of respondents Students Yes - 9696 of respondents What should the art store stock? ‘Artwork Services Souvenirs Other Faculty 80% 59% 72% 26% Students 95% 639% 51% 26% Its anticipated thatthe store will provide a “unique” shopping expe- fience, by adhering to the following criteria: ‘2 “virtual” store concept, offering products which are not necessar Iy on physical display in the store; Use of advanced technology, such as video monitors, a computer terminal, and projector, to display inventory not in the store. ttiize bright colours, innovative lighting, and creative display modes; detailed information prominently displayed describing artist and individual pieces of art available to consumers. Ithas been determined that, for a retail art store to be considered a success it is necessary that a number of non-market objectives are sat- isfied, As stated above, these non financial institutional benefits wall include: rising profile and increasing public awareness of ECIAD, increasing recognition of the art work of both students and faculty, exposing students to the business side ofthe art world, and attract ing corporate sponsorship. Itis envisioned that ultimately the store will serve as the focal point, ‘oF locus, for a numberof inter-related commercial “interface” oppor: tunities between ECIAD, the art community. receives the endorsement and full support of a majority of ECIAD. faculty and students; positively received by ECIAD alumni, patrons and other afiiaes; ‘product offerings reflect the full range of curricular diversity at ECIAD; ability of staf to knowledgeably inform customers about individual artist, and about the specific nature and purposes of the items of art and design offered for sale; provides a distinctive and unique shopping environment; -the above-noted non financial objectives; -financial viable, operating ata level above break-even within frst 2 years if operation. ® tea cret Sham aren