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MULTICULTURALISM PILOT PROJECT ANNOUNCED Anno 3 Numero 8 Agosto 1986 Grant MacEwan Community College's expanding horizons have moved into the multicultural arena. A pilot project for multiculturalism in the Performing and Visual Arts division is now being headed by Dr. Roman Petryshyn. This year-long project is the first of its kind in Canada. Dr. George Naylor, Dean of Performing Arts, believes that "as a community-based institution, the College must determine how best to meet the diverse requirements of Edmonton's multicultural society. Grant MacEwan's Jasper Place Campus is the best place to do it; it has the largest concentration of arts and medic instruction in Western Canada."
Many of the courses in arts and media are potentially very useful to ethnic organizations in Bdmonton. Some courses can be credited towards a certificate or diploma; others are non-credit. If a community group wishes to request a course tailored to their needs, the college is prepared to make arrangements. Requests to present selected courses in languages other than English and in ethnic comnunity centres will also be considered. Petryshyn has a long standing interest in multicultural development at the community level. Formerly Director of the Northern Branch in the Cultural Heritage Division, Alberta Culture, he administered grant, education, information and community consulting programs. During the upcoming year Petryshyn will be organizing the first province-wide Summer School for folk dance. This undertaking is being developed for the Cultural Heritage division in cooperation with the Alberta Folk Arts Council and Grant MacEwan Community College to provide an opportunity to dancers, managers and/or support personnel to receive college level instruction. Petryshyn is also conducting a survey of heritage artists and instructors in Alberta. The experience of these projects after a year will allow Petryshyn to make recommendations to the College about its possible future role in multiculturalism. "In the past two decades there has been a large growth in the number of enthnocultural organizations in Alberta. There are as many as 750 ethnic organizations in Edmonton alone. The majority are involved in the arts and are concerned about improving their skills. The College can help do this as well as provide for job improvement opportunities. I hope to build a bridge between the College and the tens of thousands of people active in multicultural activities." Petryshyn invites people from the community for free consultations regarding program development in their community. Call 483-4424. Roman Petrystlyn at Jasper Place Campus |
