As we move beyond lock-down and establish new ways of connecting, Melbourne’s art-loving community is invited to reaffirm its support for emerging artistic talent.
+ THE MASTERS MENTORING, VCA ART AWARD
Entering its sixth year in 2022, this annual Award will be presented to up to five VCA Visual Art students as part of the end of year Grad Show Awards ceremony. Selected by Faculty from student applications, each recipient will embark in their final Masters year, on a mentoring program with an established VCA Alumni artist and their representing gallery. The mentoring focuses on learning beyond the classroom walls, providing hands on industry exposure and guidance around development of each artist’s own sustainable career practice.
+ SUPPORT OUR NEXT WAVE OF ARTISTIC TALENT
The Masters Mentoring, VCA Art Award is an opportunity for the art loving public to support our next wave of artistic talent. We do this by recognising the importance of mentoring, providing students with access to Alumni leadership and wisdom in how to navigate industry dynamics and build a career practice. This award is made possible by the generosity of our philanthropic contributions. It is a pathway for art lovers to give and rally together to nurture Australia’s brightest emerging talents.
+ A TRACK RECORD OF ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT
2022 marks the sixth year of this mentoring program. With Ambassadors Patricia Piccinini and Michael Buxton, the mentoring program has built an impressive alumni of past mentors and students that includes Ben Armstrong, Mira Gojak, Brent Harris, John Meade, Rose Nolan, Sally Smart, Sally Smith, Darren Sylvester – and alongside Melbourne and Sydney’s leading galleries such as Anna Schwartz, Daine Singer, Tolarno Gallery, Murray White, Neon Park, Sarah Cottier, Sarah Scout Presents, Sophie Gannon, Station Gallery and Sutton Gallery.
+ OUR TARGET
Make art possible, and lend your financial support to the 2022 Masters Mentoring, VCA Art Award.
- Contribute to the sustainability of Australia's vibrant arts scene
- All donations are tax-deductible and will receive a tax receipt from The University of Melbourne
- Choose your support level: $250, $500, $1000+
- Connect with mentor artists and students through ‘salons’ at partner galleries
- Witness art growth with regular email updates from the program
- Celebrate VCA Alumni and reaffirm their importance to the Melbourne arts community
Without your support, we risk seeing artists leave the sector in search of financial security. Your contribution gives emerging artists the stability and confidence they need to establish a solid foundation for a sustainable art practice. Following almost two years of restrictions and hardship, now more than ever, support for our talented art community is needed.
+ A UNIQUE COMMUNITY
Connection and community are the heartbeat of a thriving arts scene. The dynamic mentoring experience offered through the Masters Mentoring, VCA Art Award brings together VCA Art Masters students, VCA Alumni mentors, their representing galleries, philanthropists, and the art-loving public.
We call our philanthropic art-loving group VCA Access. We are committed to elevating emerging artistic talent and for five years, we have worked in partnership with the VCA to manage this annual mentoring program.
For existing supporters, we thank you for your ongoing generosity that makes this mentoring possible and welcome new supporters to join with us in this important contribution.
