The Exhibition

Top Arts: VCE 2008, a major event in the annual school calendar, brings together the outstanding work of young people who have completed Art and Studio Arts studies in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), across Victorian school sectors.

• VCE Art requires students to complete a body of works that involves a broad and innovative investigation and the progressive realisation and resolution of ideas, directions and individual concepts, either in an exploratory folio or through one or more visual solutions.

• VCE Studio Arts requires students to complete a design process that defines an area of exploration in a work brief and the production of a cohesive folio of finished works of art.

Top Arts: VCE 2008 is a VCE Season of Excellence event and highlights the strength of art education in Victoria, showcasing students who have successfully resolved individual ideas, explored a diversity of issues, and selected appropriate materials and techniques.

From an initial selection of over 3,000 works and through a rigorous selection process and short listing procedure approximately 60 students are represented in the exhibition. Works demonstrate strong conceptual development and express imaginative and individual qualities.

This exhibition highlights the National Gallery of Victoria’s strong commitment and support of contemporary art and key role in developing dialogue between schools, community, education providers and industry.

Exhibition partners

Top Arts VCE 2008 is a collaborative project between the National Gallery of Victoria, The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, the Catholic Education Office,and the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria. Once again this year’s major sponsor Goldman Sachs JB Were will be providing the popular “People’s Choice Award”.

Other VCE Season of Excellence 2009 events

Top Arts VCE 2008 is a major component of the VCE Season of Excellence 2009 which also includes Top Designs at Melbourne Museum, Top Class at the National Theatre in St Kilda and the ABC Iwaki Auditorium, Top Screen at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and Top Acts at Hamer Hall, the Arts Centre. These events allow schools and the community to celebrate the creativity and skills of young people.

For further information about the VCE Season of Excellence 2009, please visit the Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority's website or phone information services: 03 9651 4328, 03 9651 4544 or 1800 134 197 or email vcaa@edumail.vic.gov.au.