The Victorian College of the Arts on the Melbourne University campus is the oldest art college in Australia. Founded under the name National Gallery Art School, it awarded its first art degree in 1879. Art students at VCA learn dance, theater, film or music, or they may study music therapy or production. The arts precinct on the campus includes VCA, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Centre for Cultural Partnerships, Centre for Ideas and the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development.
The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School is for younger students of the arts. Its program is recognized internationally, and some of its students go on to schools such as the Juliard School of Music in New York, Guildhall in London, Liszt Academy in Budapest, the Paris Opera School and the VCA. Students seeking to be admitted must compete; auditions are held every August. The school's goal is to help exceptional children attend, regardless of their lack of means to afford the school. VCA and VCASS signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to meet their goals to educate talented students regardless of their economic status. The program is supported by the Victorian State Government, which hopes that Australia's pool of world-class talent will be maintained for future generations. Children from 7 to 12 are invited to compete for a place in the school. The school's students range in age from 11 to 18.
La Trobe College of Art & Design offers courses in painting, multimedia design, video production, photography, drawing, sculpture, studio practice, interactive animation and graphic and print design. Diplomas may also reflect accomplishment in galleries and exhibition practice, and art history and theory. Courses are taught by industry professionals and the school is accredited.
The Grenadi School of Design is a graphic design school. Its teachers are practicing professional graphic designers who teach in class sizes of 10 or fewer students. There are several course options, and students can be full-time or part-time, attending during the day or in the evenings. Students work on Macintosh computers and have access to a large reference library. Students also receive access to an exclusive job bank (for past and present students) and support from the school even after they have graduated. A course list may be downloaded at the school's website.