The Democrats today condemned University of Melbourne plans to halve practical training in the schools of the Victorian College of the Arts, with savage budget and staff cuts.
"The VCA is a key ingredient in the mix that fosters Melbourne’s globally recognized art community," David Collyer said today. "I believe it is the backbone."
The VCA traces its origins to the National Gallery of Victoria painting school, which accepted its first students in 1867. Many of Australia's finest painters owe their start to this academy.
The Film and Television School, formerly at Swinburne, is world famous for the quality of its alumni. Under the Melbourne University plan, this jewel has been downgraded to a 'series of programs'.
Melbourne University is moving to a system of generalized undergraduate degrees followed by graduate specialisation. While this system has much merit, it is hardly applicable to the art stream.
"Students enter the VCA by demonstrating talent in their chosen field. Painters want to paint; sculptors to chisel; and filmmakers just want to make movies."
Specialist Art Schools accelerate artists' skill development and liberate their creativity.
"The changes may save money; they will definitely leave us poorer. Melbourne's fizz relies on its artists' social commentary, cultural enrichment and deep thinking."
"Fewer artists does not equal more engineers and doctors. We know that without education, training and the nurture of a creative atmosphere, these talents simply wither."
Melbournians revel in the city's high rankings in international 'liveability' tables. The VCA is one of the reasons we score so highly.
"We can’t always measure the contribution Art makes to a great city. But we do know greatness is impossible without it," Collyer concluded.
Visit www.savevca.org for a list of the talents fostered by the VCA - a truly impressive roll call.
Media contact – David Collyer 0413 248 193
|
