UArts program relocating from Bennington to Philadelphia will experience delays in its launch schedule.

The city of Philadelphia will experience a prolonged absence of a significant component of its cultural landscape, as the return of a prominent dance program from the University of the Arts (UArts) is now postponed. Originally scheduled to re-establish its presence in Philadelphia for the 2025-26 academic year, the formerly UArts undergraduate dance program, which is currently housed at Bennington College in Vermont, faces delays pending authorization from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to confer degrees.

Donna Faye Burchfield, the former dean of the UArts dance program and now the director of the Bachelor of Fine Arts and low-residency Master of Fine Arts programs at Bennington College, has acknowledged the challenges in the transition back to Philadelphia. Burchfield anticipates that the program will be ready to return by the 2026-27 school year, emphasizing the importance of expedient collaboration with the state’s education department to facilitate this process.

The University of the Arts, which has a historical legacy spanning more than 150 years, abruptly closed its doors on June 7 due to the loss of accreditation and subsequent bankruptcy. The institution’s facilities, located along South Broad Street, have since been sold off as part of the liquidation process. In response to the abrupt closure, Burchfield and other program supporters moved quickly to establish the dance program at Bennington, enabling students to resume their studies and foster a sense of community.

Since relocating, the program has allowed students to cultivate their artistry and engage in collaborative learning, which Burchfield described as euphoric. The dance faculty at Bennington consists of esteemed professionals, many of whom have ties to the Philadelphia arts scene, including notable figures from the Philadelphia Ballet and Philadanco. These faculty members have continued to engage with their Philadelphia roots by traveling back for teaching commitments.

Despite the program’s successful establishment in Vermont, a definitive site for its studios and offices in Philadelphia remains to be finalized. Currently, there are 37 Bachelor of Fine Arts students enrolled, with aspirations to increase that number to 60 while maintaining an intimate learning environment, ideally capped at 15 students per class.

Burchfield expressed a strong commitment to nurturing the program’s connection to Philadelphia, where it developed its identity and vitality among local artists. The goal is to reintegrate the dance community into the city, enriching both the students’ experiences and the cultural fabric of Philadelphia. As the program navigates this transitional period, the hope remains that it will flourish once again in its hometown.

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