UCOL cans Summer School courses | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Most of Whanganui UCOL's Summer School of the Arts has been cancelled this year because only 45 people enrolled in the 12 programmes.

The school was to have been a shorter and lower-key version this year, using Wanganui tutors and aimed at Wanganui people.

It included courses in paper making, cooking, bookmaking, digital photography, painting, opera set design and sculpture - and lunchtime artist talks.

Only the glass classes will be running this year.

Enrolments had declined during the last two years and this year's low numbers suggested the Summer School needed to be refocused, Whanganui UCOL principal Julia Pedley said.

"During 2011 we will be working closely with the Wanganui District Council to look at ways in which Summer School could be revitalised for 2012.

This may include a survey of previous attendees - both students and tutors - to find out what they would like to see offered."

She noted that the Summer School had also been rested in previous (pre-UCOL) years, and that people who would normally attend had less discretionary spending this year.

Enrolments of only three or four people in some programmes were not educationally sound or financially viable, she said. Wanganui District Council had agreed it would be impossible to go ahead with such low numbers.

But the Summer School of the Arts provided a dynamic learning experience and was an important feature of the Whanganui arts calendar, Ms Pedley said.

"We will do our very best, working with the district council, to revitalise it and keep it going."

Letters have been sent to enrolled students and lecturers, telling them that most of the school will not run this year.

Information on the glass workshops that are going ahead is available at: www.Wanganuiglassschool.com and its Facebook page.