Group rallies to save Tennessee art school from 2020 closure

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A five-person board is leading the rally to save a Tennessee art college.

The Commercial Appeal reports in the face of Memphis College of Art’s decision last fall to close by 2020 because of dwindling enrollment, $7 million in real estate debt and a small endowment, a group has planned two different approaches to preserve the school.

In addition to an online petition that has garnered more than 3,300 signatures, Save MCA wants to take over the school after 11 properties are sold to eliminate the debt. If that doesn’t work out, leader Tootsie Bell says they want to renew the college at a different location.

MCA Interim President Laura Hine says she’ll consider any viable bid to save the school, but it has to be fully funded and committed.

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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com