This is an open letter to State University of New York at Fredonia President Dr. Stephen H. Kolison, Jr.:

I am writing to you today with profound disappointment and concern regarding the proposed cuts to the art department at SUNY Fredonia. As a former photography major and current high school art and photography teacher, I am deeply troubled by the potential elimination of programs in art history, ceramics, photography, and sculpture. In 2003, I graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. My journey through the SUNY Fredonia art program was instrumental in shaping my passion for art and photography, and it ultimately led me to pursue a career in education. The invaluable experiences, mentorship, and resources provided by the art department not only helped me develop my skills but also fostered a sense of community and belonging.

Fredonia’s Visual Arts and New Media program, the third largest on campus, is the only SUNY art program to offer Animation. However, due to the proposed program cuts, accreditation for this program will now be in jeopardy. Likewise, the ability to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree will also now be impossible. A BFA entails immersion in various art forms. It requires students to take courses in all media including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and art history, making it the pinnacle degree for artists. These cuts eliminate the chance for future students to pursue this esteemed degree. Personally, my BFA enabled me to enroll in the Master of Science in Teaching Program in Art Education at the Rochester Institute of Technology, a program exclusively for BFA holders, emphasizing the importance of being an artist before teaching art. It is disheartening to see this opportunity vanish for future students, potentially impacting enrollment numbers for aspiring artists.

It is also alarming that the newly renovated, state-of-the-art studio spaces at Rockefeller will sit unused. In 2016, more than $5,385,000 was allocated to art programs, with a specific focus on ceramics and sculpture studio spaces. This allocation now appears to be an egregious waste of taxpayer money on programs that will no longer be offered.

As an educator, I’ve consistently championed SUNY Fredonia’s art program to my students, emphasizing its quality and the abundant opportunities it provides for budding artists. The potential dismantling of these programs is not only saddening but also carries significant implications for present and future students. Regrettably, if these cuts proceed, I cannot in good conscience continue recommending my alma mater to my students.

Art education is essential for nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and cultural understanding.

These tools are essential for preparing our students for the future workforce. By eliminating these programs, we risk depriving students of the chance to explore their artistic talents and pursue meaningful careers in the arts. Furthermore, such cuts would diminish SUNY Fredonia’s mission statement: Fredonia educates, challenges, and inspires students to become skilled, connected, creative, and responsible global citizens and professionals. The university enriches the world through scholarship, artistic expression, community engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Kolison, I urge you, the college cabinet, the college council and the Board of Trustees to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritize the preservation and enhancement of the Visual Arts and New Media department. Investing in the arts is an investment in the future of our society, enriching lives, fostering creativity, and contributing to the cultural fabric of our communities.

Please, let us work together to ensure that SUNY Fredonia remains a vibrant hub for artistic expression and education for generations to come. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Kristen Piurek is a Grand Island resident.