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Kaleidoscope, International film series persevere
By Ryan Buckmiller
The recent budget cuts have affected numerous areas of the campus community. Two programs which were affected by the curtailed funding were in the fine arts and humanities field. The Kaleidoscope Literary Art Magazine and the International Film Series, both having operated on campus for many years, have been affected by these changes.
"Kaleidoscope is SCSU's multicultural literary arts magazine," said senior Elizabeth Kellett. "We take submissions from SCSU students, faculty and staff that have a multicultural/diversity theme. We accept poetry, short stories, photography and essays. Kaleidoscope was started by Judy Kilborn in 1990."
The magazine, while traditionally published in a paper format, was discontinued, however, the staff that works on the magazine has found a new way to adapt and still continue the magazine. Although these changes may have some detrimental effects, those who work on the Kaleidoscope are optimistic.
"We are publishing it online and will distribute it in CD format. These CDs will be distributed throughout campus and (be) available at the Write Place," Kellett said. "Thus, Kaleidoscope will still be published, just in a different medium. I and the rest of the Kaleidoscope staff, recognize that this change may have som disadvantages."
The International Film Series, which shows over a half dozen films a year to its World Cinema class, has been playing various acclaimed foreign films for eight years now on a weekly basis in Atwood. Oftentimes, the 180 seat theatre is filled not only with the 40 students in the World Cinema class, but also dozens of other students, faculty and community members.
"It has been very successful," said Professor Phillip Costaglioli, from the Department of Film Studies. "The class has 40 students. The minimum attendance is 130-150 in each session. We hopefully found a new way of funding. The Central Minnesota Arts Board has offered support. Now we can accept donations. The student community, the faculty community and the St. Cloud community are all welcome to contribute donations at the event. We offer the highest quality films by very important directors. These are films you cannot see in St. Cloud. More than two of these films you cannot even see in the state."
Despite financial shortfalls, both the International Film Series and the Kaleidoscope Literary Art Magazine have persevered. They have been forced to adapt to the changes but, presently, are still planned to continue. Those who are involved in these programs have also expressed their importance in the SCSU community.
"This change will also bring about many new opportunities for Kaleidoscope," Kellett said. "We are hoping to eventually expand the types of submissions accepted to include other forms of artwork, such as music. Publishing Kaleidoscope electronically will enable us to do this."
"The intellectual stimulation and reflection are in these events and project a good image of what education should be about and for what art should be about," Costaglioli said. "This advances understanding and ethics and entertainment of such an important contemporary art form."
"These give the community a better understanding of art," said sophomore Kong Moua. "That there are a lot of different forms of art even within the United States."
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