Libs & Greens Slam Brumby Over VCA / Wilin Centre Decimated / Grad Sticks It To Uni
Posted by savevca1 on May 20th, 2010It’s been a huge week for VCA in Parliament, at the besieged Wilin Centre and at the VCAM Graduation Ceremony. This post is a big one, so we’ve separated it into three sections:
LIBS & GREENS SLAM BRUMBY OVER VCA
Monday’s (17/5) Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing in the Victorian Parliament saw the Brumby Government show its arts funding cards – and they aren’t in VCA’s favour.
Despite questioning from the Opposition, the new Arts Minister Peter Batchelor failed to reveal any plan for VCA’s financial aid, infuriating both the Vic Greens and Vic Liberals (not to mention SAVE VCA!).
Ted Baillieu
“It is a very sad day for the arts community in Victoria when the Victorian Government has willingly washed its hands completely of the VCA. All the Minister could say today was that any financial support for the VCA was the responsibility of the Federal Government,” Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Leader and Shadow Arts Minister Ted Baillieu said.
“The Coalition stands by its commitment to provide up to $6 million in funding for the VCA to ensure it continues to offer the highest possible quality education and training in the arts in Melbourne.”
Read the Libs full media release here
Sue Pennicuik
“The VCA has become a political football and its unique status in training and developing our performing artists is being lost because neither level of government is prepared to provide the modest level of support needed to support it. It’s a disgrace,” Greens Arts spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik said.
“The Premier and the Arts minister should stand up for the VCA, as was promised in 2006, by providing core support funding and by seriously lobbying for adequate ongoing funding from the federal arts portfolio, in keeping with federal support that is provided to other performing arts institutes such as NIDA and WAAPA,” Ms Pennicuik said.
Read the Greens full media release here
We’re scratching our heads wondering what Brumby and Batchelor are thinking! Not only are they annoying a whole lot of artists and arts-lovers (VOTERS!), but they are putting Victoria’s economy at risk.
For instance, did you know in September 2009 VCA Film and TV staff confirmed that in the past four years approximately 52% of all drama and documentary productions in Victoria have been written, produced or directed by a VCA alumnus. Film Victoria put the value of these productions at a minimum of $214 million. Given it is usually the writer, producer, and director who determine the state where a project will be made, this represents a huge number of jobs dependent on VCA alumni creating projects. And that’s just from the Film & TV school!
Premier Brumby & Arts Minister Batchelor – this is a no brainer! If you want Victoria to remain the Arts Capital, you have to train the artists! VCA must be funded properly and it is a joint Federal and State responsibility.
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UNI MELB NOT WILIN
In very sad news, it seems the University of Melbourne and the VCAM Dean Sharman Pretty are determined to see VCA’s Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development staff body decimated.
Read Crikey’s report here. (20/5/10)
Read Crikey’s Feb 2010 report on the Wilin Centre (09/02/10)
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VCA GRADUATE STICKS IT TO THE UNI
It’s almost a year to the day since Filmmaker Robbie McEwen accepted his VCA degree at his graduation, declaring in front of vice-chancellor Glyn Davis and other university officials at the Melbourne Recital Centre that “people could thank the University of Melbourne for ripping the heart out of the VCA“.
On Tuesday (18/5) another VCA FTV student Greg Erdstein interrupted the 2010 ceremony, proudly showing the audience his SAVE VCA tshirt which was met with a standing ovation and lengthy applause.
However when Greg tried to give the tshirt to the Chancellor, the University of Melbourne figurehead wasn’t so keen on accepting. “I was offended the chancellor refused to accept my gift. I just wanted to give him a t-shirt he could wear to bed; something that would help him sleep at night. He pushed me away!” said Greg, tongue firmly in cheek.
Greg’s actions at the ceremony remind us all of the depth of affection still held for VCA in the arts community and the University of Melbourne has far from beaten us yet!
Greg was a founding member of SAVE VCA and in fact was the original web designer for savevca.org.
Congratulations to all in the class of 2009! And lets hope the Federal and State Government hurry up and realize the huge cultural and economic contribution you will make courtesy of your VCA education.
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Greg Erdstein and his SAVE VCA Tshirt
Uni Melb Chancellor Not So Keen On Taking Greg's SAVE VCA Tshirt
Woo hoo Greg. Here here. Can’t reiterate enough how important VCA is. We all must get involved to ensure a truly important part of Melbourne’s pulse is kept alive.
Good on you Greg, and all those who stood up and cheered – I would have joined in if I’d been there. And how DO they sleep at night amidst the debacle they have caused? Bravo to Greg and SaveVCA for keeping the issue out there!
Yes! How CAN the university’s bean counters sleep at night when they should be supporting indigenous students – not removing their lifeline at the VCA by de-funding the Wilin Centre?
Bravo Greg, and bravo, Save VCA for keeping the fire burning.
Well I was there as a proud Mum, and I stood up! Wish I could do more. The VCA is/was an important creative arena. I believe there will be regrets in the future as people realise what they have lost. Good on you for making a point and be heartened with he prolonged applause and support from the audience. All the best with your creative future.