VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1: AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2016
40 Years of Creativity Flashback 2016 Celebrating Cecil Cooper Meet our new Board Chair
Publisher’s Note
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elcome to another academic year and our first issue of the Collegiate for the academic year 2016/2017. This year is particularly special for the EMCVPA community as we celebrate 40 years as an institution at this location since 1976. We have grown tremendously since and continue to impact the world through our outstanding alumni and faculty past and present. As we look to the next forty, one use this opportunity to encourage our alumni, current students and corporate community to support the growth of the arts in the region by engaging the EMCVPA through scholarship, mentorship or sponsorship. Please send us your feedback or articles for the Collegiate to marketing@emc. edu.jm. Coleen Douglas Marketing and Public Relations Manager EMCVPA
Come and celebrate with us! A leading voice in regional arts and culture the EMCVPA remains the only college of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean and continues to offer world class education in the arts. Its’ strength is embedded in a rich tradition of passion for the arts and selfless service to people. We celebrate 40 years under the theme: Inspiring Creativity, Impacting Lives.
Principal’s Desk pillars of the Plan support the College’s core values of diversity, service, innovation, transparency, commitment, partnership, lifelong learning, integrity and ethics, truth, and respect.
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elcome to the 2016/2017 Academic Year— another opportunity for us to re-position, re-ignite and re-invest in the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts! Each academic year, we commence with a renewed vigour and strength of purpose—one which serves to guide us through the many responsibilities and challenges that we face as a College community and as individuals. I am extremely pleased and honoured to be at the helm of such a group of individuals who continue to offer their time and talent tirelessly to the mission of this culturally-honoured institution. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Audrey Tugwell-Henry, who in her short time as Chairman of the College Board provided sound and strategic leadership, and to welcome Mrs. Melanie Subratie, our new Chairman who has committed to leading the charge. This 2016/2017 Academic Year marks the second year of the College’s 5-year Strategic Plan (2015-2020). With a mission of “Repositioning Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) for an enhanced role in national, regional and global development”, the
One of the goals fulfilled last academic year was the launch and opening of ArtStock by EMCVPA, our art Gift Shop which carries fine art and hand-crafted gifts by past and present members of faculty, current students, graduates, as well as individuals who are affiliated with the institution. From this venture, we will expand to include the unique brand of our performing arts on Future Fire Wednesday, commencing the end of October 2016, and an (Arts) Stock Market, the first of which will be hosted in December 2016. What these business initiatives provide for the College are opportunities for enhanced revenues and increased visibility of the EMCVPA brand, a perfect alignment with the College’s mission “to enrich the aesthetic sensibilities and promote the cultural diversity of the Caribbean through the highest quality education and training in the Visual and Performing Arts.” With our renewed vigour this academic year, and a combined goal of the pillars of the Strategic Plan, the College is embarking on an expansion drive—our 3 in 4 Plan, an increase of three per cent of our student population over the next four years; and the adjacent property that will allow us to create a state of the art performing arts theatre, the School of Arts Management and Humanities, studios and lecture rooms as impressive as the sheer talent and creativity for which the College is renowned. Please feel free to contact me about information on ways in which you can join this drive. I invite you also to peruse our 5-year Strategic Plan and let us know how you can lend your assistance in achieving the objective of repositioning the EMCVPA for an enhanced role in national, regional and global development. Sincerely, Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson, PhD principal@emc.edu.jm
A Word From the Registrar
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t is my distinct pleasure and privilege to extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts community for the 2016/2017 academic year. To the Returning students we are very enthused that you have chosen to return to continue your studies with us and to the New Incoming students we are honoured to have you join the EMCVPA family. We look forward to have you all with us on campus, and we anticipate and welcome the opportunity to contribute to your success by building on your academic strengths, encouraging your personal growth and development, and inspiring your creativity as you “Fashion Your Future�. We are committed to providing an atmosphere that is supportive and welcoming to all students and as such we encourage you to take full advantage of the programmes and services provided to aid in your holistic development and create a vibrant campus life. I wish for you all a positive, productive and rewarding academic year and I look forward to our interactions as we chart the way forward for 2016 and beyond. Claudia Woon-Chin, Registrar
From The Office of Students Services
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t is my pleasure to welcome back our returning students to the college and to extend a hearty congratulation and welcome to those who have just jointed the college community for the academic year 2016 – 2017.
The Student Services Department is very keen on student success, beginning with the basic skill sets required for a seamless transition from high school to college and then on to promoting a culture of holistic student learning and engagement framed by the institutions’ student centred philosophy. The Student Services Department is committed to the provision of the highest quality service and experiential learning opportunities, through co-curricular activities and community engagement, In order to promote the personal and professional development of our students in all genres of the arts, to encourage lifetime engagement for Alumni and lifelong learning in support of the colleges’ mission and vision. We are passionate about what we do and we have the competence to accomplish all that we set forth, the team wish for you all, good success. Horace L. Prince, Director, Student Services
From Student Council
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he Student Council is proud to represent the entire Student body of the EMCVPA.For the academic year 2016 - 2017 the council’s aim is to further mend the bridge of communication between administration and students. We continue our, IAmEdna campaign and will take to social media with the hash tag #EdnaPride. The Pride of being a part of an institution which stands as the first and only of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean is one this council believe should not be taken likely and implore both students and faculty to recognize their influence as artist and art facilitators. We welcome new and returning students to a year filled with activities and diverse creativity. A special welcome is given to new students as we hope we can assist in making your college experience one filled with growth for your holistic development. Becoming involved in College events, will give you the experience and relationships among peers that will become the merger of companies in future time to come. As the student body representatives, our mission is to represent the interest, views and opinions of the student body, ensure all student related issues are resolved peacefully and in a proper time span, encourage active involvement and demonstrate qualities of leadership. We look forward to a wonderful year together.
Du Vaughn Andra Burke President, Student Council 2016/2017
EMCVPA welcomes New Board of Management Prof. Ian Boxill Mrs. Emprezz Golding Ms. Gabrielle Miller Ms. Iris “Terri” Salmon Horace Prince Dr. Keino Senior
Mrs. Claudia Woon Chin DuVaughn Burke Winston Ewart Donahue Martin Sheryn Hylton-Parker Winston McKane L’Antoinette Stines
Ms. Melanie Subratie Chairman
School of Arts Management has a New Director Dr. Keino Senior We would like to congratulate Dr. Keino Senior on his appointment as the Director of the School of Arts Management and Humanities. Dr. Senior received his Ph.D. in Gender and Development Studies with High Commendation from the University of the West Indies. Prior to his appointment he was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Arts Management and Humanities. He is the cochair of the Rex Nettleford Arts Conference since its inception in 2011; and co-founder of the Jonkonnu Arts Journal.
We welcome on board New Faculty & Staff: School of the Visual Arts Lewis Grainger Sara Shabaka
School of Arts Management and Humanities Regina Brown Rachael Barrett Katie Dieter
Tribute to Cecil Cooper We celebrate the life and contributions of our beloved colleague Mr. Cecil Cooper with a poem from the American poet Bessie A. Stanley and offer comfort to his friends and family with words from Sir Henry Scott-Holland.
For Cecil He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much: who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled the niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it; whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best he had. Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction. ~Bessie A Stanley For his Family and Friends Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! ~Henry Scott-Holland
more manageable tasks for the end of the day, when you’re more tired and less compelled to complete the hardest tasks. If you put off the hard tasks until the last minute, you’ll be dreading getting them done all day.Include breaks in your to-do list. You can reward yourself with breaks. If you finish three tasks, you can have a small snack, or make a quick phone call to your friend, for example. This will make you even more focused on completing the tasks at hand. 5. Make time for breaks Though it may sound counter-intuitive to plug relaxation into your daily schedule, this form of organization will actually help you stay focused. Remove anything that can distract you You should take at least a 5-10 minute 1. Train your mind like a muscle break for every hour of work, or a from your work and isn’t relevant to When multitasking is the norm, your brain quickly adapts. You lose the ability the task. Clean off your desk to include 3-5 minute break for every half hour of work. This will help you get more to focus as distraction becomes a habit. only the things you need to work. If motivated to finish the task, give you Practice concentration by turning off all you spend just ten minutes cleaning a break to rest your eyes, and will give distractions and committing your atten- your space at the end of every day, tion to a single task. Start small, maybe you’ll be able to maintain your new or- you some time to transition your mind ganized lifestyle. If you don’t need your to the next task ahead.You can even five minutes per day, and work up to phone to do your work, put it away for set a timer to go off after every half larger chunks of time. If you find your hour or hour of work, signaling that mind wandering, just return to the task a few hours. Don’t let it clutter your you should take a break. If you’re really at hand. It’s just like getting fit, you have space and distract you. “in the zone” you can skip one of the to build the muscle to be focused. breaks, but don’t make it a habit. 4. Make a to-do list Making a to-do list at the beginning of 2. Do creative work first 6. Manage your time Typically, we do mindless work first and every day or week can make you feel Managing your time goes hand in more focused and motivated to conbuild up to the toughest tasks. That hand with making a to-do list. Next to tinue your work. If you make a list of drains your energy and lowers your all the things you have to do, no matter each item on the list, write about how focus. An hour into doing your work, long it’ll take you to accomplish each you’ve got a lot less capacity than at the how small, you will feel more accombeginning. Every decision we make tires plished when you check those items off task. Be realistic about this estimate. your list and move on to the next task. Then, try to complete each task within the brain. In order to focus effectively, This will also keep you focused on one the confines of each time limit. This reverse the order. Check off the tasks will make you less likely to slack off or that require creativity or concentration task at a time. You can separate your text your friend for an hour instead of first thing in the morning, and then move to-do list into three lists: things to do that day, things to do the next day, and actually getting anything done.You can on to easier work later in the day. things to do that week. If you finish the break up more time-consuming tasks tasks for that day but have some time with shorter, easier tasks. That way you 3. Keep an organized space left over, you can move on to the next won’t be overwhelming by too many Whether you’re doing work in class or tough tasks in a row. You can think of set of tasks. Prioritize your tasks. Put studying at home, having a clean space the shorter tasks as a mini-reward. the most important or hardest tasks can help you focus and get your work first. It’s better to save the easier or done with much more concentration.
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Tips to Keeping Your Academic Focus This Year
BEING FINACIALLY
STABLE IN COLLEGE 3. Try the Envelope System Keep it easy to stay within your budget by using the “envelope system.” Under this system, you set a budget for the week, the month. You might decide, for example, to spend $2000 on groceries this month and $1000 on stationary. You put that money into envelopes marked “groceries” and “stationary,” and you pay for those expenses out of those envelopes. Once you’re out of money, you’re out. This system keeps you from over-spending and prevents you from accidentally going into debt. When you can physically see how much cash you have left, it’s a lot easier be careful with it.
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ollege is an exciting time, but it can also be an expensive time. Every incoming student should be taking a crash course in College Finances 101. So before you hit the books, you should study up on these essential tips to get a handle on your finances and get the most out of your college experience, for the lowest cost possible. 1. Know Your Financial Aid Options Most students need some kind of financial aid to help pay for their education. The key is in making the most of the options available to you. In addition to university-specific scholarships, research whether you qualify for other funding thanks to hobbies you pursue, the major you’re going into, and organizations you and your parents belong to. There are scholarships and grants out there for more than you might realize, and the more you can avoid borrowing to fund your education, the better. Also bear in mind that some college “expenses” aren’t necessarily mandatory. You can learn to cook so you can avoid costly meals. The full college experience doesn’t have to be a bank breaker if you get creative. 2. Budget, Budget, Budget You need to have a plan in place to keep everything in order, or you’ll find yourself falling behind fast. You don’t have to track every dollar, but have a basic idea of money that is coming in and going out every month. Set up an online service or smartphone app that makes money management easy and convenient. Some apps make money management easier for a busy or forgetful college student. Apps allow users to upload bank account and expense information so he or she can manage all of his or her accounts in one place.
4. Learn Frugality Don’t be one of those students who decide they must live the high life in order to enjoy their college experience. You can reward yourself for a long week of studying by having a game night with your friends, rather than lining up shots at the bar. If ever there was a time in your life when it’s okay to play the frugality card, it’s now. Your future self will thank you. Here are some other tips to stretch your dollar further: Buy or rent used textbooks Don’t make impulse purchases. Use public transportation rather than chartered services When planning meals, make dinner with friends and split the cost of groceries Take advantage of what your campus has to offer in terms of activities, rather than spending money on going out. Go to class. You’re paying for it and skipping is like throwing money out the window! Open a savings account that earns interest. Credit unions have fewer fees and are great for students.
Calendar of Events 2016/2017
SEPTEMBER, 2016
FEBRUARY, 2017
Gungo Walk, Alternate Music Festival Saturday, 3
SVA Film Series Black History Month Friday, 3
Sacred Mountain, The Musical Friday, 9
OCTOBER, 2016 “Rethinking EducationConference” Vera Moody Concert Hall Bert Rose Studio Theatre Sheila Barnett Studio Wednesday, 12 | 9 am - 4 pm Special Showing of Selected Pieces from DOG in honour of 40th Anniversary Sunday, 23 Dog SoDr Production I Amphitheatre Friday 21 - Sunday 23 Friday 28 - Sunday 30 “Digital Media Explorations” SVA Student Digital Exhibition Opens Tuesday - Thursday, Oct. 18 - Nov 8
Voices...People...Echo... SoDa Colour Museum School of Dance, Bert Rose Studio Theatre Thursday, 9 | 6pm - 8pm 7X11 ”7 plays 11 minutes long” SoDr Staff & Guest Performance School of Drama, Dennis Scott Studio Theatre Saturday 11 - Sunday 19 “Dane Husey: People & Spaces” SVA/JCDC Photography Exhibiton CAG[e] Gallery, EMCVPA Sunday 15 - Monday 30 Footprints “Creating your own path” SoDa DanceWorks Production School of Dance, Bert Rose Studio Theatre Thursday 16 - Sunday,19 Founders’ Week Sunday - Friday, 19 - 24
NOVEMBER, 2016
Edna Manley Lecture Monday, 20 @ 6pm
SoDa DanceWorks Lunch Hour Concert @ 1pm - 2pm Thursday, 3
“Enigma” School of Visual Arts Faculty Show CAG[e] Gallery, EMCVPA February 21 - March 7
B3: Music of Bob, Bacharach and the Beatles SoM Faculty Recital Vera Moody Concert Hall Sunday, 6 | 5:00 pm I Lawa SoDr Production II Amphitheatre Friday 11 - Sunday 20 SVA JCDC Photo Exhibition Opens Tuesday 15 - Monday 28 Graduation Saturday, 19 @ 2pm
DECEMBER, 2016 Carol Service School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Sunday, 4 “(Art)Stock Market” Art Fair EMCVPA Campus Tuesday, 20 | 10 am - 10 pm
“Edna at 40: Impacts, Reflections & Projections” Celebrating Research in the Arts Day School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Wednesday, 22 “Gender and Fashion” SAMH Gender & Development Lecture and Alumni Reception School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Thursday, 23 Sports Day Friday, 24
MARCH, 2017 “El Numero Uno” SoDr Children’s Theatre Workshop Performance School of Drama, Dennis Scott Theatre Sunday 12 - Sunday 19
WEEKLY EVENTS
ABBREVIATIONS
Lunch Hour Concert Every Thursday @12-1:15pm
SoM- School of Music
SVA Film Series Every Friday @ 5pm
SoDa- School of Dance
SVA- School of Visual Arts
SoM Faculty Recital II School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Sunday, 12 Physical Labrish: Critical Coherence Artist Talk School of Dance, Bert Rose Studio Theatre Tuesday, 14 Physical Labrish: Critical Coherence “Celebrating & building on the past” School of Dance, Bert Rose Studio Theatre Performances Friday 24 - Sunday 26
APRIL, 2017 SoDr Production III Saturday - Sunday, 1 - 9 EMCVPA Choir & Percussion Ensemble School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Tuesday, 4 SoM Wind Ensemble & Community Orchestra School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Thursday, 6 SoM Honours Recital School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Saturday, 8 International Jazz Day Concert Devon House Sunday, 30 | 7:00 pm
MAY, 2017 Art Mingle, Artstock Thursday, 4 SoM 3rd & 4th School of Music, Vera Moody Concert Hall Monday 8 - Friday 19
JUNE, 2017 “Disambiguation” SVA Final Year Students’ Exhibition Scool of Visual Arts Saturday, 3 - 24 SoDr Final Year Shows School of Drama, Dennis Scott Studio Theatre Friday - Sunday, 2 - 4 pm
SAMH- School of Arts Management and Humanities EMCVPA - Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts