STATEMENT | Bundjalung Artist Response to SCU Creative Arts ProgramClosure. 

As First Nations creatives from the Bundjalung Nation, we use our collective voices to call out Southern Cross University's decision to cease its creative arts degrees, including the Bachelor of Art and Design, Contemporary Music, and Digital Media.

We call on all local, state, and federal governments to negotiate with SCU to restore these essential courses that allow creatives to gather, prosper, and engage in communities.

As First Nations Artists, we are acutely aware of the historical struggle to preserve our art and cultures. We are still striving to establish and support our cultural frameworks, including locally culturally responsive educational services and places to create on Country.

The implications of undervaluing Arts and Culture are far-reaching. It affects not only those who pursue these vocations but also the Northern Rivers Creative Industry, which has developed a longstanding reputation and many creatives residing here.

The arts play a crucial role in modern society and humanity, encapsulating stories that need to remind us who we are as humans, our behaviours and actions, our hardships and lifestyles, and our trauma and healing.

Universities are there to build communities, and the Arts Industry complements and supports many industries, directly and indirectly. Artists work hard, and many voluntarily contribute to society through changing times, an experience endured. It is with creativity and deep care work that heals and inspires us all to look to brighter days.

It would be a low blow to withdraw an asset and resources that build and reimagine a community in more ways than one. Especially in a place that knows hardship and feels the impacts of raised fees, bushfires, COVID, floods, and now the cost of living. How dare they giveth and taketh away when the going gets tough.

DON’T LET THEM.

Written by Dr Bronwyn Bancroft & Kylie Caldwell

Arts Northern Rivers supports the voices of First Nations Creatives.