Southwest University of Visual Arts-Tucson recently issued the following announcement
On January 4, 2019, Art Center, Inc. doing business as Southwest University of Visual Arts (SUVA) transitioned from a For Profit organization to a Not for Profit structure using the Arizona Revised Statutes §29-2101-§29-2703. The transition is a part of a long term succession plan that the founders developed to sustain the institution into the future. SUVA was established 36 years ago by Tucson natives Marvin and Sharmon Woods, and this transition maintains the historical roots the founders established as an institution focused on high quality art and design education.
SUVA’s Governing Board of Trustees is committed to maintaining the institution’s mission, as well as seeking scholarship opportunities for students who may not typically have access to private art education
Sarah McCraren, a member of the Board of Trustees, states that “The history of SUVA is a demonstration of an entrepreneurial success story that should be celebrated.”
The founders made the decision in order to give SUVA students the same access to grants as other universities; that opens up the numerous opportunities for philanthropically giving that allows SUVA to continue to freeze tuition costs, provide research grants for faculty and more scholarships for SUVA students.
Julie Mairs, Chief Business Officer states, “Although the organizational structure changes, our goals and mission remain the same. We are continuing to concentrate all efforts on educating students to excel in the fields of Fine Arts, Design, Advertising and Visual Communications within a student focused environment committed to the highest standards of academic achievement, scholarly inquiry, creativity and citizenship in a diverse world community.”
One of the transforming opportunities that arose from SUVA’s new Non Profit status is the SUVA Community Art Program. This program of non-degree art and design courses offered on both campuses helps students develop their ability to solve problems and create meaning through the visual arts. Marvin Woods, Chief Academic Officer describes it, “. . . as a way to transform lives in our own community, and to grow relationships with fellow community members.”
Coinciding with SUVA’s Fall, Spring and Summer terms the Community Art Program will nourish creativity among people of differing age groups as well as contribute art, diversity and meaning to our communities and overall culture.
SUVA, which is regionally accredited, was founded as The Art Center Design College, a For Profit institution in 1983 offering Certificates in Advertising Art. Over the next few years changes included expanding into Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1989 and becoming a degree granting institution in 1995 adding degree programs in Interior Design, Animation, Studio Arts and Photography as well as Graphic
Design and Illustration. In 2005, The Art Center Design College changed accreditation to become one of the few institutions accredited similar to the Universities and in 2010 changed their name to Southwest University of Visual Arts (SUVA) and began offering a Masters of Fine Arts
SUVA is proud of their history and reputation of being a forward-thinking institution, and this conversion further demonstrates their commitment to higher education. This conversion is an exciting development for the institution and puts SUVA in a position to attract grants and bring more out of state students to the Tucson and Albuquerque campuses.
Southwest University of Visual Arts’ change to Not for Profit exemplifies their dedication to higher education.
Original source can be found here.
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