Olds College is adding a new Two Year - Costume Cutting and Construction Major in its popular Fashion Apparel Technology diploma program, .

The Costume Cutting and Construction major will link graduates with the growing arts and culture industries in theatre, dance, opera, film and television. The two-year diploma program will commence at Olds College in the fall of 2008.

“This major is a perfect complement to our popular fashion programs,” said Dr. Terry Males, Chair of Applied Arts and Career Studies. “Olds College has a rich tradition in fashion production, which grew out of the original Home Economics courses. The Fashion Apparel Technology program today prepares graduates to contribute to the growth and development of the custom apparel industry by providing educational excellence in couture, fitting, pattern making, alterations and small business development.

“The new Costume Cutting and Construction major will provide the same educational excellence for the arts and culture industries. While these two programs share the strength of a common set of core competencies, each major also boasts distinctive courses that will create uniquely specialized graduates for these growing industries.”

A unique feature of the Costume Cutting and Construction major is a minimum seven week practicum at Red Deer College, where Olds College students will work on a large theatre production with RDC Acting and Technical Theatre students.

“Both the Costume Cutting and Construction major and the Fashion Apparel Technology major share a common ground, and they will gain from the rich traditions and practices found within the distinct industries of each. Olds College’s fashion programs have a strong, long term grounding in Central Alberta, with well-founded industry support and interest,” said Dr. Males.

Dr. Torben Andersen, Dean of Arts at Red Deer College, was pleased with the collaboration with Olds College.

“This provides great opportunities for Central Alberta in the exciting field of costume cutting and construction,” said Dr. Andersen. “For these students from Olds College to be able to contribute to our theatre production is valuable to us, to the community, and to the arts and culture industries we serve. It makes sense for Olds College to offer this major, because there is substantial overlap with its existing fashion programs. I am confident the Costume Cutting and Construction graduates from Olds College will be welcomed by professionals in the theatre industry across Canada.”

For more information on the program itself visit www.oldscollege.ab.ca/programs/Fashion/index.htm

For more information please contact:
Jennifer Isaac jisaac@oldscollege.ca
Communications Coordinator

Office of Advancement
Olds College
4500-50th Street
Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6
Phone (403) 507-7714
Fax (403) 556-4704