The University of Alaska-Anchorage will be closing its Hugh McPeck Gallery in May due to a lack of funding, citing increasing costs and declining enrollment as contributing factors. The decision to cut funding from the student activities fee has led to the closure of the gallery, with the money being redirected towards campus events that benefit the entire community.
This news has raised concerns among artists, such as Anchorage artist Deborah Hanson, who see the closure as a loss for students who rely on the gallery as a space to showcase their work and grow in their artistic abilities. A petition has been circulated with nearly 1,000 signatures urging the university to restore funding for the gallery.
While the university plans to continue showcasing student art with its two remaining galleries on campus, the closure of the Hugh McPeck Gallery has left some wondering about the future of art education at UAA. Despite this closure, the university assured that students enrolled in the art program will not lose their accreditation.
The space occupied by the gallery may be transformed into a merchandise store, but a final decision has yet to be made. In the meantime, artists and students are hopeful that their voices will be heard by the university administration in hopes of finding a solution that benefits the entire campus community.
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