The Victorian College of the Arts and Music Review released today confirms the concerns expressed by the National Tertiary Education Union, said Matthew McGowan, Secretary of the NTEU Victorian Division today.
“We have been saying for years that without additional government funding, the Victorian College of the Arts and Music will continue to suffer. The University of Melbourne review released today confirms that the future of high quality specialist teaching at the VCA will continue to be under threat,” Mr McGowan said.
“The review agrees with union concerns about the nature of many of the courses and structure of schools, including Music Theatre and Puppetry. University management and in particular VCAM Dean Sharman Pretty were premature in cancelling these important courses,” he said.
“We further welcome the recommendation that the Melbourne Model introduction be postponed until a full review of the curriculum is undertaken.”
The NTEU submission to the VCAM review recommended that the State and Federal Governments commit to increased funding for the VCAM.
“Without these additional funds, there is no prospect that the VCAM will be able to continue to offer high quality, intensive training to Australia’s most talented artists. The University has demonstrated that it is not willing to support this kind of education,” said Mr McGowan.
“With the Federal and State Budgets not delivering for this important arts institution in Victoria, it is inevitable that the VCAM will die from death by a thousand cuts unless something is done soon,” he said.
The NTEU will be holding meetings of its members in the Faculty of the VCA and Music next week to discuss the review.
For further information contact:
Matthew McGowan, Secretary, NTEU Victorian Division
Phone: 9254 1930
The National Tertiary Education Union’s University of Melbourne branch has neared a conclusion in negotiations with the University management for a new union collective agreement.