Oct '09
The decision to close the Centre, which is based at the University's School of Art campus in Winchester, has not been taken lightly. It follows eight years of significant investment by the University, during which time the University has paid the majority of the cost of the Centre's new purpose-built facilities on the School of Art campus, and contributed annually to meet the Centre's budget shortfall. The University has concluded, with great reluctance, that the cross subsidy from other areas of academic endeavour can no longer be justified.
The TCC review followed a major restructuring of the academic programme at the School of Art, which was designed to meet increasing student demand for new courses in art and design, with a strong focus on commercial applications of art. This has been successfully achieved, with School of Art student numbers increasing, staff/student ratios among the best in the country, and the School on target to eliminate its financial loss.
The restructure at the School of Art resulted in the closure of the School's History of Art and Design Division, to which the TCC was linked academically, and as a consequence, the Centre ceased to be part of the School of Art earlier this year.
When the TCC joined the University the expectation was that it would become viable as an integral part of Winchester School of Art. However, this was not achieved. Efforts to find an external source of income for the TCC to bridge the funding gap have not yet succeeded. The University also sought to develop a new business plan within the University financial model which would create a viable long term future for the TCC.
Despite much work by the TCC and University staff, as well as the TCC Foundation (the Centre's supporting Trust), it has not proved possible to build a business plan within the context of the University of Southampton that would bring the TCC into balance/surplus, whilst still protecting the high quality of its work.
As part of the review, the University also investigated transferring the TCC to an alternative university. A number of the institutions approached in connection with the transfer option were most interested in taking on the TCC, but were unable to pursue this, due in large part to the need also to provide new or refurbished accommodation to fit the Centre's very specific professional needs.
The University fully acknowledges the international excellence of the TCC and its significant achievements before and since becoming part of the University. However, postgraduate conservation education is a resource-intensive activity. The conservation sector has been discussing this for some months, as conservation programmes elsewhere face similar pressures as the TCC.
University of Southampton
Must ReadView All
Textiles | On 25th Apr 2018
UNIDO, eWTP discuss strengthening ties to back e-commmerce
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation director general...
Apparel/Garments | On 25th Apr 2018
Making sustainability affordable is a big challenge
In a lot of instances, being sustainable comes with an additional...
Textiles | On 25th Apr 2018
Formosa to set up petrochemical plant in Louisiana
Formosa Petrochemical Corporation has selected St. James Parish in...
Interviews View All
Poojaa Kumar Deepak
Zeven
Zeven's performance sports apparel is designed for the Indian body type,...
Top executives
Textile & apparel bodies
The mid-term review of FTP is progressive, growth oriented
Headhonchos
Indian textile value chain
'One nation, one tax' is a great concept
Jupiter Comtex Pvt Ltd, established in 1973, started its textile machinery ...
Oswal Prints Private Limited has been manufacturing and exporting ethnic...
Softech Controls Private Limited (SCPL) is a part of the Cotmac Group, an...
Ashok Desai
Bombay Textile Research Association
Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA) is a leading name in textile...
Mark Paterson
Technical Absorbents Ltd
Mark Paterson, R&D manager of Technical Absorbents Ltd talks about Super...
Suresh Patel
Sidwin Fabric
Sidwin Fabric is a manufacturer and exporter of polypropylene textiles and ...
Judy Frater
Somaiya Kala Vidya
Among the many honours showered on Frater, including Fulbright and Ford...
Akta Adani
India Boulevard
India Boulevard is a San Francisco-based curated fashion marketplace that...
Robert Brunner
Devereux
Golfwear and menswear brand Devereux is set for greener pastures. Robert...
Leave your Comments
Recommended
Want to know what happened in the textile world this week? Watch now!
news category
Related Categories:
Do you think the sustainability space has the needed tools and resources available for a business to lead change?
Yes No SkipActive Poll
Do you see sustainability as a route to business growth?
YesTotal Votes: 103
Do you think adopting a sustainable approach will be a profitable move for your business?
Yes No SkipActive Poll
Do you think the sustainability space has the needed tools and resources available for a business to lead change?
YesTotal Votes: 103
Do you want the world to know about your sustainability journey and your business’ environmental footprint?
Yes No SkipActive Poll
Do you think adopting a sustainable approach will be a profitable move for your business?
YesTotal Votes: 103
Thanks for your valuable feedback. Claim your free latest sustainability e-book.
Active Poll
Do you want the world to know about your sustainability journey and your business’ environmental footprint?
YesTotal Votes: 103
E-News Insight
Latest News Update in Your Mail Box.
