Situated in the heart of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Southbank, the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development (Wilin Centre) is a major hub of activity. The Southbank area, the arts centre of Melbourne, is historically a meeting and celebration place for the five tribes of the Kulin nation.

The Wilin Centre is primarily a point of contact for

• Indigenous Australian students
• Indigenous people wishing to pursue a career in the arts
• Indigenous community members
• People who are interested in Indigenous arts and cultural development.

The Wilin Centre provides support to Indigenous students and artists in a variety of ways

• advice and advocacy re: student allowances such as Abstudy, ATAS (Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme);
• promotion and development of Indigenous Scholarships and grants;
• recruitment tours;
• housing, relocation, accommodation;
• referrals to specialist Indigenous organisations;
• academic and personal advocacy;
• mentorship;
• Skilled up and Ready to Study Camp;
• community access to VCA facilities.

The Wilin Centre is also responsible for some events in the VCA calendar such as

• Wilin Week - an annual celebration of Indigenous culture, community, fire and food (April);
• Wilin Indigenous Student/Alumni Showcase Event – Fan the Flames is a night of exhibitions and performances by our current and graduate student talent (September).

The Wilin Centre is dedicated to providing a holistic approach to supporting Indigenous students and artists. This national centre is shaped by a seven-year strategic plan and offers student support, mentoring, tutoring, hosts artists-in-residences, cultural activities and celebrations in a friendly and accepting environment. The Wilin Centre strongly encourages interested students and staff to interact with the Centre and our student cohort on a regular basis.

It is the aim of the Wilin Centre to nurture and encourage Indigenous artists to achieve their utmost, as well as educate the student and staff body to recognise the diversity of Australian Indigenous arts and culture.

Fire is symbolic to the staff and students of the Wilin Centre (‘Wilin’ meaning ‘Fire’ in the Woi Wurrung language) as it represents the burning artistic and creative passion our students embody. The creative fires burn bright for our students and alumni artists, and we here at the Centre wish to fan the flames and encourage a new generation and regeneration of Indigenous artists to study and hone their skills through the Victorian College of the Arts. Our program of events exemplifies the journey of fire, as the Wilin Centre becomes the place to Keep the Fire Burning!