Yukon's fine arts school needs more students

Low registration at Yukon's School of Visual Arts in Dawson City is prompting newrecruitment effortsto keep the schoolviable.

The school, known as SOVA, is Canada's most northerly post-secondary fine arts institution serving as a springboard for young Yukon artists.

According to Aubyn O'Grady, the school'sprogram director, there are currently eight full-time students enrolled, and the schoolhopesto bring in at least 15 full-time students next year. The school can accomodate up to 20.

"I think students are not really pushed towards studying visual arts anymore.They're looking for something like design, something that pays with an undergraduate degree and you know, I can't blame them," O'Grady said.

"One of the things that I've been focussing on with our recruitment is supporting northern and Yukon-based students, high school students, and really making sure that everyone feels welcome to apply to SOVA and to pursue arts after high school."

O'Grady says the school recently held creative workshops for students in Old Crow, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, to give them a taste of art education.

The school will also be doing recruitment activities in Whitehorse and Vancouver next month. The deadline for out-of-territory registration is Mar. 31, and Yukon students can apply until June.

'Everyone should study arts'

SOVA, now in its 12th year of operations, offers a one-year certificate that counts as the first year of a bachelor of fine arts degree.Many graduates transfer to schools such as as Vancouver's Emily Carr University of Art and Design after completing the program.

That's the path O'Grady took. She says the program inspired her to study education, and she's now working at completing her PhD.

"What's obvious to me is that everyone should study arts," she said.

The school boasts of a world-renowned faculty, small class sizes, custom designed studio spacesand a vibrant arts community.

And despite Dawson's bitterly cold winters and remote location, some students say the community's small population can actually be an advantage to learning.

"I'm not afraid of going into a bigger place, but you know, I'm just out of high school," saidClaire Gallagher of Whitehorse.

"I had not lived alone before and I thought being in a smaller place where I kinda knew the community ... I would know my classmates and my teachers and probably get help if I needed it."

Gallagher says she plans to apply to arts schools elsewhere in Canada.

She says she hopes her experience will encourage others to consider SOVA as a transition to art schools in the South.

"Iknewit would be easier for my first year before I went diving into a giant school where I knew no one," Gallagher says.