NiTRO + Creative Matters

Perspectives on creative arts in higher education

Southern Cross Uni cuts all arts

Following the announcement of the ceasing of all arts programs at Southern Cross University was announced yesterday, the DDCA extends its thoughts to staff and students at the university, as well as the larger community that is affected by this decision. The rationale given by the Vice-chancellor of Southern Cross University, Tyrone Carlin, is that ‘the demand’ is low. The Higher Education sector is experiencing some very turbulent times, and decisions like this one are complex. How do we, as a society, understand this national trend? How, and by whom, are the views, values and dreams of our young students formed to result in such a disinterest in the arts? What are the consequences for a society that does not cultivate artists as key contributors? We stand together in this complicated era.

Other recent news

Other related news

Update: NCGP review

The ARC held an online consultation today on the Second Policy Review Discussion Paper on the National Competitive Grants Program for discipline Peak Bodies and Learned Academies. The DDCA was pleased to attend and represent the interests of its creative arts members. The ARC is clear in their desire to collaborate with the Peak Bodies […]

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DDCA response to the National Competitive Grants Program Policy Review

The Australian Council of Deans and Directors of Creative Arts (DDCA), Australia’s peak body for tertiary creative arts education and research, congratulates the Australian Research Council for the responsive changes proposed to the National Competitive Grants Program (Discussion Paper, February 2025). The implications of the changes for researchers in the creative arts are broadly positive. […]

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DDCA response to Creative Australia’s Venice Biennale decision

The Australian Council of Deans and Directors of Creative Arts (DDCA), Australia’s peak body for tertiary creative arts education and research, urges Creative Australia to reconsider its decision to rescind the presentation of Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino’s work in the 2026 Venice Biennale Australian pavilion. This decision to override a rigorous and internationally peer-reviewed process […]

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JOIN Australian Cultural Policy Research Association

Colleagues from a number of Australian Universities are proposing a fully-fledged national research association for those researching in the field of cultural policy in Australia. There is a need to reassemble research from across the disciplines of media and cultural studies, arts management, cultural and creative industries, digital humanities, artificial intelligence, creative labour studies, journalism […]

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Consultation open: ARC-Funded Research 

“The Australian Research Council (ARC) has released the Discussion Paper: A New Plan for ARC-Funded Research. The Minister for Education asked the ARC to work with the Department of Education to undertake a Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program. The Discussion Paper has been developed following extensive public consultations undertaken with stakeholders in 2024.  […]

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Be an ARC assessor

“The ARC is always looking to expand the talent and resources of the Assessor Community. As an assessor, you will have the chance to familiarise yourself with new cutting edge research, in confidence, within your field of expertise. General Assessor recruitment is completed through an annual call for College of Expert nominations where Universities have […]

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In the spirit of reconciliation, the DDCA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

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