SAC tries to increase performing arts funding

The Student Activities Council is looking for ways to support student performing arts groups that have been shut out of funding due to shortage of rehearsal and performance space in recent years.

Groups that wished to be recognized by SAC - which provides funding and other support for groups on campus - traditionally needed to recognized by the Performing Arts Council first.

But getting PAC recognition became much more difficult after the executive board moratorium on all new groups from 2005 to 2007, due to the large number of groups competing for limited space and the desire to not dilute resources, said Director of Platt Student Performing Arts House Ty Furman.

PAC is now considering new groups on a case-by-case basis, but board member and Engineering senior Jamie McCarthy said he does not believe any new groups have been recognized.

"We cannot in good conscience overstretch our organizational capabilities based on a sentiment of inclusion, out of fairness to our existing general body," said an e-mail statement from PAC's five-student executive board.

The statement said more groups will be accepted when PAC can provide rehearsal space and resources. Furman added that the group does not plan to change its policy of not recognizing new groups if it deems rehearsal space insufficient.

Wharton and Engineering senior and SAC chairman Eric Van Nostrand said that although PAC's tough choice is understandable, it's unfair to students who cannot get funding for needs like costumes and script rights because of space restrictions.

To accommodate new groups, SAC has increased publicity and use of a group designation called "competitive instructional," Van Nostrand said. A group that either competes or provides instruction as well as perform can join SAC even without PAC recognition.

An "influx of groups coming to SAC last spring and pointing out inequalities" compelled SAC to accommodate them without undermining PAC, he explained. The body is making more use of the group designation without changing its policies.

"It's PAC's realm to determine which performing arts groups are recognized and SAC respects that," he said. "That's why we require them to contribute to campus in other ways."

Furman said that new space will change PAC's outlook and offerings as they work with administrators to find prospects for new rehearsal facilities. Options include the recent addition of a dance floor and mirrors to the ARCH basement and proposed recreation center and dorm as part of Penn's eastward expansion.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.