Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts

The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) is the premier arts college in the English-speaking Caribbean whose mission is to enrich the aesthetic sensibilities and promote the cultural diversity of the Caribbean through the highest quality education and training in the visual and performing arts.

Our students are exposed to the very best in tutors in the arts who blend theory with creative application in our one-year Certificate, two-year Associate and four-year Bachelors Degree programmes. A Master of Arts in Art Education is also offered in conjunction with the Ohio State University (OSU).

The college operates a total of six Schools. The Schools of Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, Music and Arts Management and Humanities offer essential professional preparation to students in the arts from the Caribbean, North America and Europe. The School of Continuing Education and Allied Programmes offers part-time leisure and per credit courses in a number of areas, as well as an exciting Junior Programme for kids and teens.

Programmes are accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).

EMCVPA HISTORY

The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) has given birth to some of the most popular and talented practitioners within the realm of the creative arts. The College is the first of its kind within the Caribbean to provide tertiary level training in the arts, offering internationally recognized programmes accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).

The College has a mission to enrich the aesthetic sensibilities of the Caribbean region by facilitating excellence in the arts, culture and pedagogy; through the provision of the highest quality programmes and training. EMCVPA continues to create opportunities that will ultimately lead to the development of our region through the arts, urging its students to create, persevere and achieve through adversities towards their goals.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The ports of entry by air are the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston (NMIA - KIN) and the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. (DSIA - MBJ). All first-year international students are provided with airport pick up services to the College. This only applies to arrivals to NMIA in Kingston and as such students are encouraged to make arrangements to land in Kingston. Flight itinerary must also be sent in two (2) weeks in advance.

IMMIGRATION POLICY

As stipulated by the Immigration Laws of Jamaica, foreign nationals are required to hold a valid passport and entry visa. However, exemptions for visa requirements are made for students from countries within the British Commonwealth, excluding students from the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. These aforementioned students will still be required to present a visa upon entry to Jamaica.

On arrival at the airport, the letter of acceptance, issued by the College, must be presented to the Immigration Officers, following which your passport will be stamped, granting entry for two weeks. Once you are enrolled, the Registry will issue you a letter of registration, which should be submitted to the Immigration Office for processing an application for a Student Visa. Foreign students attending the College must report to the Student Services office within the first two weeks of arrival for assistance in processing their extension of stay. Students will need the following:

• A letter from the College (Registry) confirming his/ her programme of study and the period for which the student is registered.
• A valid passport (for the duration of studies)
• A fee of JA$2000 (approx. US$20) for an Alien Registration card (for non-Commonwealth nationals)
• Two passport-sized pictures (for non-Commonwealth nationals only)
• An Extension of Stay fee of JA$10,000 (approx. US$100)

THE KINGSTON EXPERIENCE

EMCVPA is located at 1 Arthur Wint Drive, Kingston 5 which is within easy reach of the major commercial districts in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. The campus’ central location allows for quick access to banks, hospitals, galleries, theatres, supermarkets, shopping centres, restaurants and sporting facilities.

International students can also experience numerous attractions in the metropolitan city including Emancipation Park, National Heroes Park which houses beautiful monuments to the nation’s national heroes including Marcus Garvey, Devon House, the famous Port Royal, The National Gallery and the Bob Marley Museum.

HOW TO APPLY TO EMCVPA

STEP 1: COMPLETE APPLICATION FORM ONLINE

Complete application form online at www.emc.edu.jm. Application attracts a $700 non-refundable cost that must be paid when prospective students submit documents. Application opens early January and closes late March.

STEP 2: SUBMISSION OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Applicants will be asked to submit the following documents:

• Application Fee Receipt
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Transcripts
• CXC/GCE Certificates
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• 2 Certified passport-sized photographs

STEP 3: PROFICIENCY TESTS

Provided that there are no outstanding documents, applicants are invited to sit the College’s English and IT Proficiency Tests.

STEP 4: APPLICANT EVALUATIONS

Applicants will be evaluated depending on your School of choice which may include auditions, portfolio assessment, drawing exams, music tests and/or interviews.

STEP 5: SELECTION

Selection will be made after the auditions are completed in the respective Schools. The information on the selected applicants is sent to the Registry from where letters of acceptance, rejection or pending, in the case of students awaiting examination results, will be sent to you with the requisite information.

STEP 6: ACCEPTANCE

Once you are accepted you will be sent an Acceptance Package.

NB: Overseas students from the rural areas and overseas should make application for accommodation by April, due to limited space available on the Hostel.

CAMPUS LIFE

HOUSING

EMCVPA offers accommodation for students on the campus’ Halls of Residence. Housing is available to all students enrolled full-time in any programme at the College. Each resident is afforded the use of a fully equipped single occupancy room with facilities which include shared bathroom and kitchen.

LIBRARY SERVICES

The College Library features a variety of printed and audiovisual resource materials in the Visual Arts, Drama, Music, Dance and Arts Management curricula. The library’s rich collection includes over 10,000 books in both open shelf and reserved collections, more than 11,000 vinyl records and varied assortment of monographs, periodicals, newspaper clippings. slides, CDs & DVDs, VHS and audio cassettes. The library also offers students use of various online music libraries, electronic databases and online journals.

SPORTS TEAMS/CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Students of EMCVPA participate in various sporting activities on the campus’ multipurpose court. Sporting teams at the College include the Football & Basketball Teams as well as the Edna Manley Strikers, a netball team formed from the combination of staff and students.