On October 30, 2024, Professor Tyrone Carlin announced the discontinuation of all Creative Arts degree programs at Southern Cross University (Lismore, NSW), a decision reported by ABC North Coast https://tinyurl.com/44874ckn

This decision was made without community input and lacks the transparency that we deserve. Lismore, situated in the Northern Rivers region, is home to Australia’s largest creative community outside of metropolitan areas and is still recovering from the devastating floods of February, 2022. In response, Tara Kelly and I launched a student led petition to urge SCU to reconsider this decision and to call on the Federal Government to safeguard arts education, particularly in regional Australia.

To date, the petition has garnered $2,753 in supporter contributions, which Change.org will use solely for promoting the petition through their platform and email campaigns. However, we believe that these funds could be far more impactful if allocated to raise awareness and give our community a voice. Therefore, we kindly request that supporters refrain from donating to Change.org.

Instead, we created an alternative way to accept donations: https://tinyurl.com/3xwfhw5z

If you would like to contribute directly to a professional we engage with, or if you can offer skills or influence, please reach out to us at saveourbadscu@gmail.com 

image credit: “In The Heart” public sculpture, Lismore, NSW. The image of two hands holding a red heart above floodwaters, created by Bachelor of Art and Design alumni Holly Ahern and Eden Crawford-Harriman, became a powerful symbol of hope for a community in despair (see SCU article here).

Your support can make a significant difference in this important fight for our creative arts community. Thank you!