Cultivating the Next Generation of Artists
VCASS Visual Arts nurtures bold ideas and refined skills - preparing young artists for a future of limitless possibility.
At the heart of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct, VCASS Visual Arts offers a vibrant, contemporary program where emerging artists experiment, create and exhibit alongside practising professionals. Through immersive studio practice, gallery visits and real-world mentorships, students refine their craft and develop the confidence to share their unique artistic voice.
VCASS Visual Arts students spend each day immersed in studio practice – experimenting, refining and realising their ideas through making and creating. Technique and imagination are developed side by side, as young artists learn to think critically, create boldly and communicate powerfully through their chosen medium.
Daily studio sessions form the heart of the Visual Arts program. Students explore drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media and installation in professional-standard studios, guided by practising artists and experienced educators. Specialist workshops and collaborative projects extend technical and conceptual skills, while regular critiques and exhibitions build confidence and independence.
Throughout the year, students curate and present their own work in school exhibitions and public galleries, gaining authentic experience in creative presentation and professional practice.
The VCASS Visual Arts program builds strong technical foundations while nurturing each student’s creative voice. Students are encouraged to explore, question and refine – developing both artistic skill and conceptual understanding across a diverse range of mediums and ideas.
What you’ll study
Visual artists are an essential part of any society, as they reflect and comment upon that society in the most fundamental ways.
Balancing creativity, learning, and wellbeing - every day at VCASS.
Academic Balance
Each day combines studio time with VCE academic learning
wellbeing and support
Dedicated wellbeing staff, mentors and teachers provide guidance to help students.
collaborative community
VCASS fosters friendships across art forms, creating a dynamic, cross-disciplinary learning culture.
Professional mindset
Students learn to plan projects, meet deadlines and reflect on feedback – skills that prepare them for tertiary study and creative careers.
Spaces that inspire
Art Studios
Light-filled rooms designed for painting, drawing and sculpture - spaces that facilitate focus, collaboration and creativity.
Onsite Gallery
Kolarik Gallery: Students curate and exhibit their own works in our professional gallery space, learning the full process of presentation and curation.
Media Room
A dedicated digital lab where students explore photography, video and multimedia art using industry - standard software and equipment.
Beyond the Classroom
The world becomes the studio - from sketching in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens to exhibiting at the VCA Artspace.
Screenshot
VCASS gives us industry insight into the arts scene in Melbourne, through exposure to a variety of galleries, linking to collaborative class curated exhibitions
Olivia
How we teach and support
VCASS Visual Arts students gain first-hand insight into the professional art world through workshops, mentorships and authentic exhibition experiences.
Guest Artists & Mentors
Leading Australian and international artists visit VCASS to run workshops and masterclasses, offering direct insight into professional studio practice.
Gallery Partnerships
Students engage with Melbourne’s dynamic art scene through visits and collaborations with major institutions and local galleries, developing an understanding of curatorial practice and exhibition design.
Public Exhibitions
From the Kolarik Gallery on campus to external venues across the Arts Precinct, such as the VCA, students regularly showcase their work to the public – gaining invaluable experience in installation, presentation and audience engagement.
Professional Pathways
Through these experiences, students build confidence, artistic identity and networks that prepare them for tertiary study or entry into the creative industries.
From VCASS to the creative industries
VCASS Visual Arts graduates go on to study at some of Australia’s most prestigious creative institutions, including the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), RMIT University and the National Art School. Many continue their journey into fine arts, design, photography, film and creative industries, while others establish independent studios or exhibit professionally across Australia and abroad.
