Front Page of the Industry Document

In a response to frequent requests for detailed information about the status of VCA particularly from Arts Businesses, SAVE VCA have produced a document which gives readers “the full story” all in one place. Indeed many VCA staff and students will find some of the information new, such is the difficulty in getting detailed information from the University of Melbourne and from Dean Sharman Pretty. If you don’t have time to read the whole document, there is a two page Executive Summary (in the PDF below).

You will find a full copy of this document here > SaveVCA Information for the Arts

Peter Garrett Parliament Photo

Peter Garrett in 2005 as Shadow Minister for the Arts… (from http://www.petergarrett.com.au/62.aspx)

VCA is a world-class institution that has trained generations of Australian artists with a proud tradition of merit-based entry.

The HECS hikes at VCA mean that many of Australia’s future artists may be put off studying their field.

This is a terrible blow for the Australian arts community which has been enriched over the years by VCA.

It is amazing what an election can do…

This is yet more evidence that the Howard Government’s policy of making students and their families pay the price for $5 billion cuts to universities is culturally and economically irresponsible..

In 2009 Minister Garrett was quick to claim it’s “not my portfolio”…

Peter Garrett Letter "Not My Portfolio"

Let him know how you feel here…

OR

Send him a letter at:

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

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The VCA was discussed in an epic debate at Parliament House

The transcript of yesterday’s marathon VCA debate that resulted in all Members unanimously passing the motion which ‘expresses its concern that the actions of the University of Melbourne, with limited consultation, have not been consistent with the assurance of the State Minister for Finance in the second reading debate of the Melbourne University (Victorian College of the Arts) Bill in 2006 that the integration would “guarantee that the College’s role as Australia’s pre-eminent provider of visual and performing arts training and education can continue.”

You can view the documents as follows

Liberal Notice Of Motion (pdf)

Hansard Document – Council 16 September 2009 (pdf)

Ted Baillieu on Stateline

From The Age Newspaper September 12, 2009, “Baillieu pledges to save VCA”

TED Baillieu is promising to save the Victorian College of the Arts.

In an audacious bid for the arts vote, the Opposition Leader is pledging that if the Coalition wins next year’s state election he will ensure the college has enough money to remain viable.

Mr Baillieu makes the promise – which could cost the state budget up to $6 million a year – in an open letter to students and staff of the college, obtained by The Age.

He also says the controversial 2007 merger with Melbourne University has imperilled the college, and vows that as premier he would be prepared to return it to ”its previous independent and autonomous status”.

‘The Victorian College of the Arts is one of Victoria’s great treasures,” Mr Baillieu writes. ”If we are to remain the arts capital of Australia, we cannot lose the special quality of the VCA.” Read on…

Read the The Age – Liberal Announcement

Read the Vic_Liberal_Announcement