Arts Department News

VCE Media Excursion

On Tuesday 30 April, the VCE media classes travelled to Melbourne for an excursion. In the morning, we went to see Top Screen at ACMI Cinema, and we got to watch 14 short films that VCE Media students produced in 2023. There were a wide variety of genres, including comedy, animation, psychological horror and thriller. 

Afterwards, the classes went to an exhibition at ACMI Gallery called 'The Story of the Moving Image'. The exhibition was very interactive and had displays that highlighted the journey of film, including cameras, sound and animation. We got to look at lots of interesting displays, as well as trying to make foley sounds and play some arcade games.

The last activity of the day was Top Design at Melbourne Museum. Folios of VCE students were on display, including folios from the movies we had watched at Top Screen. But we also saw folios for print media, textiles, woodworking and art. Seeing the processes that students took to produce their projects was interesting and inspiring, and showed the VCE media students examples of what we should be aiming for when creating our folios later this year. 

The excursion was a valuable experience, and we learned a lot, as well as gaining inspiration for our own folios and media projects!

Georgia Kempster (11 Aherne)

Career Pathways in the arts

The arts continue to play a significant role in the Australian economy and job market. There are obvious employment pathways, including performers and teachers, but with the growing development in technology, there are also a number of other emerging employment pathways for those who enjoy creative work.

Studying design can lead to work as a marketer, stylist, landscape architect, digital games designer, urban designer, visual merchandiser or e-publicist, just to name a few.

Studying visual arts can lead to work as a jeweller, gallery director, art historian, arts administrator, florist, tattoo artist, stonemason or framer.

Studying media can lead to work as a camera or sound operator, television production assistant, radio presenter, film director, post-production, social media coordinator or marketer.

Studying music can lead to work as a session musician, sound producer, voiceover artist, venue manager, events manager, music journalist or music publisher.

Studying drama can lead to work as a stage manager, producer, television production assistant, play therapist, personnel manager or set designer.

And studying dance can lead to work as a dance teacher, choreographer, event manager or sessional dancer.

Studying the arts encourages students to problem-solve and think outside the box, skills that will increasingly be in demand as we move more towards automation and artificial intelligence. The arts also encourage students to develop their interpersonal skills and build their empathy.

The Ulumbarra Foundation supports our local Bendigo performing arts community through funding initiatives and programs. They have launched a Performing Arts Mentoring Program that assists young people in the community who are interested in pursuing a career in or deepening their passion for the arts.

The program connects successful candidates with experienced industry professionals, offering insights into the practicalities of building a career and guidance in navigating potential challenges. Mentors in the program are established figures from diverse fields who generously volunteer their time to guide and support aspiring artists in Bendigo. 

Interested individuals are invited to apply for this program; provided free of charge thanks to the Ulumbarra Foundation and the mentors who contribute their services voluntarily.

To apply for the program and to view the profiles of the current mentors, see the Ulumbarra Foundation website.