On August 14th 2023, UMass Dartmouth leadership suddenly informed the College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) students that they must vacate the Star Store Building in New Bedford MA, which was the hub of CVPA programs such as Ceramics, Fibers, Metals, Photography, Art Education, and Painting for over 20 years. The town of Dartmouth MA's former Bed Bath & Beyond retail location was recently leased as an interim solution, however it has proven grossly inadequate for the advanced art techniques taught in higher education and is largely unusable. As of, October 3rd 2023, CVPA students have not been able to do studio work, use equipment, and receive the education they have paid for, or make progress toward their careers.