The fight for arts education in Australia is far from over - join us on August 17

To our wonderful supporters, On the 28th of July, after a rigorous campaign that involved students, staff, alumni, politicians and members of the arts community, the Heads of Agreement that would have seen SCA dissolved into UNSW Art and Design was terminated. Whilst a future amalgamation has not been ruled out, this news was met with a collective sigh of relief. So, from all at SCA, thank you. But it's not over yet. The University of Sydney is still determined to vacate the historic Rozelle campus, and bundle SCA into the faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on the overcrowded main campus from 2018. There are no visual arts facilities at this campus. Furthermore, the University is not accepting applications for the Bachelor of Visual Arts next year. Should this move come to pass, the University will be abandoning its responsibility to current students, threatening to leave PHD candidates without supervisors and the entire student body without the studio-led practice they signed up for. SCA is internationally acclaimed for its staff, studio-based practice, facilities and interdisciplinary research. These are the elements that make up the very core of the school. With no guarantee for the safety of our curriculum, facilities or staff, which are so integral to visual arts learning and research in Australia, we have no choice but to ensure that SCA STAYS. So how can you continue to fight for art education in Australia? 1. Join us at the rally to support our staff and oppose the proposed closure of SCA. When: Wednesday 17 August, 1pm–2pm Where: University of Sydney Quadrangle Lawns, A14, Camperdown. 2. Stay up-to-date with campaign news by subscribing to the Friends of SCA mailing list, or by following the LET SCA STAY facebook page. Visit http://friendsofsca.org/ // https://www.facebook.com/letscastay/?fref=nf 3. Add your name to the open letter, calling for an independent review of SCA to ensure the school's long term sustainability. Visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savesca 4. Ensure that you follow the campaign of National Art School, our fellow arts institution, as they too struggle to save their school. Visit https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-National-Art-School-FONAS-483096161815258/ And sign their petition here https://www.change.org/p/nsw-government-nasexit-the-national-art-school-withdraws-from-amalgamation Once again, we thank you for your ongoing support of the arts in Australia.