CLINTON HILL — Pratt Institute students were up in arms after the school canceled its annual art show for the first time in three decades and students say the provost waited to make the announcement a day after they were eligible for a tuition refund.
The "Pratt Show," an exhibition of design work by more than 300 graduating students was scheduled to take place at the Manhattan Center, and has previously drawn some of the most celebrated professionals in the arts to view the students' work.
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But on Jan. 21, one day after students were eligible for a full tuition refund that runs upwards of $42,000 a year for undergraduates, Provost Peter Barna sent an email announcing the cancelation of the long-running show, according to an email shared with DNAinfo New York.
Some students said that they would consider not attending the school because of the cancelation of the show.
"Beginning in 2015 the Institute will not organize the annual event and instead will encourage departments to present work from graduating students on the campus or in off-site venues of their choice," Barna wrote.
The new shows, called Pratt Shows 2015, will not be juried like the show at the Manhattan Center.
Barna explained that the Manhattan Center was no longer big enough to fit all the student work and that he would instead work with each department to organize their own events.
He added that he would also create an online gallery to display student work and provide several "studio days" throughout the year where students could show work to professionals.
"I intend to work with each of the affected departments to provide support for a new vision of outreach and inclusive exposure for the excellent work of their scholars," he wrote.
Barna later denied in a statement that the show was canceled, but said that the "venue and format of the show are simply changing."
Still, the change sparked anger and concern from the students, who planned a protest Wednesday morning.
Students also started a Change.org petition on Sunday night to restore the event, which had drawn 1,971 supporters as of Tuesday afternoon.
"The student body is outraged and petitioning as well as protesting this unprofessional, disgraceful and laughable decision made by the Provost Peter Barna," the students said in a statement. "By canceling the show, the administration has proven that they are not concerned about the well being or success of their students and alumni."
Students said they looked forward to the juried and competitive process of showing work and counted on the possible job opportunities that came from the prestigious show.
Senior Maeve Norton, who is organizing the protest, also said students have contacted lawyers to look into taking legal action against the school, on the grounds that the date of the announcement gave students "reason to believe there is some fraud occurring."
