Rose Bruford College to develop digital centre
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£940k funding for the project was also provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), through its Catalyst Fund. The investment will continue to be monitored by HEFCE’s successor, the Office for Students.
The Centre will build on the College’s existing technical production expertise in lighting and sound design, and extend this to include digital & immersive technologies, video design and engineering, content creation and visualisation; leading and influencing the development of advanced technological production and performance training.
In addition to new facilities and the creation of new undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses in a range of digital technology areas, the Centre will also be a bridge between industry and higher education, with an industry advisory group whose role will be to identify sector skills gaps and steer the development and technical direction of the Centre.
Nick Hunt, head of School of Design, Management and Technical Arts explains: “With investment from the College, our partners we will be able to develop new and existing production facilities with advanced technical capabilities, to create a professional and industry-led learning environment
“This will not only drive the curriculum development for the next generation of industry practitioners, it will also enable established professionals to upskill in these rapidly evolving and dynamic specialist fields.”
Lee Dennison, head of business development at White Light, believes the new Centre for Digital Production is a much-needed addition to the technical teaching and education system for the live events industry: “Rose Bruford College offers a leading example to other educational establishments, with regard to its teaching, engagement and willingness to change, move forward and challenge the conventional structure.
“Our working environment is constantly changing with technical advances, client’s awareness and audience need for more and we welcome Rose Bruford College as a teaching establishment that embraces all of this.”
Clarie Middleton, Rose Bruford College’s Principal, comments, “Our sector is changing rapidly with new technologies and an increasing cross-over between theatre, live events and film, broadcast and recorded media. We know from our existing industry relationships that there is demand for the right kind of training in this area. The project also feeds into national, regional and local skills strategies as well as supporting the future growth and development of the College.”
The Centre will launch in Autumn 2018 with the curriculum and facilities developing over a four-year period.
The College is interested in increasing the number of industry partners involved in the project. Interested parties who would like to discuss opportunities further are invited to e-mail nick.hunt@bruford.ac.uk
(Jim Evans)
