Pig Iron School's MFA Program in Limbo After University Closure

The sudden closure of the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia has left 35 students in the Pig Iron School's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program without a clear path forward. The closure has caused significant disruption, with students now scrambling to find alternative ways to complete their education.

Pig Iron Theatre Company, a nonprofit based in Olde Kensington, partnered with UArts in 2015 to offer a joint MFA degree and certificate program in devised theater. This partnership has now been abruptly severed, leaving the future of the program in jeopardy.

Quinn Bauriedel, co-artistic director and cofounder of Pig Iron, expressed the financial strain this closure has placed on the organization. UArts still owes Pig Iron approximately $300,000 for the last two quarters, a significant portion of the theater company's budget, which ranges from $1.3 to $1.8 million.

Why this matters: The sudden closure of the University of the Arts has significant implications for the future of higher education and the impact on students' lives. If left unresolved, this situation could lead to a loss of trust in educational institutions and a disruption in the academic careers of affected students.

"That's a considerable portion of our budget, so it's hard to fathom what we would do if we had to wait three years for that to all get sorted out," Bauriedel said. He emphasized the need for a stable institutional partner that believes in the program and its impact.

The students affected by this closure include 14 MFA students who were set to begin their program in fall 2024. Third-year MFA student Tenara Calem expressed her frustration and disbelief at the situation, describing it as "incredulous and so cartoonishly villainous." She added, "I feel so taken advantage of as a student and as a consumer. I can't help but feel like somebody has my money and is running to the bank laughing at me."

In response to the closure, Pig Iron is actively seeking a new institutional partner. The organization is also considering reviving its original certificate program as an alternative for the incoming cohort of 14 MFA students, provided they can raise the necessary funds.

UArts has stated that it will arrange transfer pathways for students to complete their degrees at other local institutions, including Temple University and Drexel University. However, it remains unclear whether financial aid or scholarships will be matched at these institutions.

Students first learned about the closure on May 31 from The Inquirer. The abrupt announcement has left many, including third-year MFA students Graham Cook and Tenara Calem, who were set to graduate in December, uncertain about their future.

The sudden closure of UArts has thrown the Pig Iron School's MFA program into disarray, affecting both current and incoming students. The organization is now focused on finding a new partner or alternative solutions to ensure the continuation of its educational programs.

Key Takeaways

• UArts' sudden closure leaves 35 MFA students without a clear path forward.
• Pig Iron Theatre Company owes $300,000, a significant portion of its budget.
• Students are scrambling to find alternative ways to complete their education.
• Pig Iron is seeking a new institutional partner to revive the MFA program.
• UArts will arrange transfer pathways, but financial aid and scholarships are unclear.