The Victorian College of Arts (V.C.A.) was established in 1972. Incorporating schools of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music and Musical Theatre, Production and Puppetry, and the Visual Arts, it is Australias only multi-discilpine practical arts school and a cultural institution of national importance, with a prestige and reputation that is recognised across the globe.

The school offers young Australian artists the chance to study in world-class facilities under the tutelage of Australia's leading arts professionals, many of whom have international reputations and represent Australian arts practice to a high degree.

Together the schools have trained and nurtured the talents of several successful, world-class artist alumni and each year the school receives thousands of applications from across Australia and from around the world. As one of the few Australian educational institutions still admitting students solely on the basis of their talent and potential, the V.C.A. offers a unique and important training ground for specialised practical education in the arts.

I implore the Federal and State Governments to support out arts industry by adequately funding the V.C.A. as an autonomous cultural institution, and to free it from it's amalgamation with the University Of Melbourne.