The Université de Moncton is seeking ways to attract more students to its music, visual arts, and drama programs [1].
Low enrollment in these disciplines threatens the long-term viability of the arts faculty. As graduation numbers remain small, the university must determine how to make these creative degrees more appealing to prospective students in New Brunswick and beyond.
The university said that only a small number of students graduate from these specific programs each year [1]. This trend reflects a broader decline in enrollment within the arts, which has left the institution with small cohorts in its creative departments [2].
Administrators said they are exploring various recruitment strategies to reverse this trend [1]. The goal is to increase the number of students entering the music, visual arts, and drama streams to ensure a more sustainable academic environment.
Because the programs are based in Moncton, the university is looking at how to better engage with the local community and potential applicants [2]. The institution aims to identify the specific barriers that prevent students from enrolling in the beaux-arts programs.
While the university has not yet detailed the specific incentives it will offer, the focus remains on increasing the visibility of these degrees [1]. The school said it is analyzing why the cohorts remain so small despite the cultural value of the arts in the region [2].
“The university is looking for ways to attract more enrolments.”
The struggle to maintain enrollment in arts programs at the Université de Moncton mirrors a global trend where students increasingly favor STEM and vocational degrees over the humanities. For a regional institution, small cohorts in the arts can lead to reduced funding and a diminished cultural footprint, making the success of these new recruitment strategies critical for the university's diverse academic ecosystem.
