How new Performing Arts emphasis will affect the Verde Valley unclear; New Dean of Arts and Humanities to offer courses for theatre majors
In an interview with the Prescott Daily Courier, Craig Ralston, the Community College’s recently-hired Dean of Arts and Humanities, said he is intending to make the fine arts program now in place more closely tied with community performances and continuing education. All current courses of study are remaining intact. Ralston said that a gap in the Community College’s current arts offerings overlooks strong performing arts programs at high schools that aren’t translating into degree-seeking students at Yavapai College.
To support the new programs, the Community College is adding an associate professor of musical theater and dance. (Last fall semester an associate professor of vocal music was eliminated.)
Ralston told the reporter that for theater majors, he plans to add two or three theater acting classes per semester.
How the new theatre emphasis will affect the Verde Valley is not clear. Nothing was mentioned about these new courses at the January Governing Board meeting. Sedona Red Rock High School has shown a very strong interest in developing a dual enrollment performing arts program but so far has not received any official information about the new direction the Community College is taking in this area. Mingus Union High School also has a very strong interest in theatre acting.
The complete interview carried in Sunday’s Prescott Courier can be accessed by clicking here.
As a part of the the ten-year plan, Supai Hall, which is located on the Prescott campus, is to be demolished. After that, the first phase of the 10-year plan to be completed in its first three years calls for expending $6.75 million for a new residence hall on the Prescott campus.
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Yavapai College is a small business support organization sponsored by Yavapai College and the U. S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC is also a resource center, linking the federal, state, county, and private sector. These resources, in turn are used to counsel and train small businesses to achieve management excellence, resolve financial and marketing problems, and help them succeed.
The Blog occasionally receives questions about the OLLI program and how it is financed. We asked OLLI officials and they responded as follows:
The Yavapai College Verde Art Gallery has partnered with the Verde Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to present the work of OLLI member photographers at the Verde Art Gallery. The exhibit will run from January 20 to February 5, 2015. The opening reception will be held Thursday, January 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Verde Campus Art Gallery.
Construction of the parking lot and road adjacent the Sedona Center is moving ahead. The road and parking lot became available after the College settled a ten-year-old access dispute with an adjoining landowner.