A message from the Dean of Arts

Welcome to the first edition of ARTiculation for 2015. This edition highlights some of the significant achievements of our alumni and looks ahead to what is the beginning of an exciting and eventful year in the Faculty of Arts.

In January we were pleased to announce that the Boisbouvier Founding Chair in Australian Literature was established at the University of Melbourne through the generous donation of $5 million by Mr John Wylie AM and Mrs Myriam Boisbouvier-Wylie. The Chair will be located in the Faculty of Arts' School of Culture and Communications and will advance the teaching, understanding and public appreciation of Australian literature.

The first Dean's Lecture for the 2015 series is being held on the 26th of February, and I am pleased to welcome internationally renowned Art Critic Professor Hal Foster. Professor Foster will deliver his lecture on "In praise of actuality: Questioning Art as a Process" where he will deliberate the artistic process, audience interaction and what exists in the spaces between.

The Arts West Redevelopment which is to become the new home of the Bachelor of Arts, is now fully under way. Those of you who have been on campus and in the vicinity of Professors' Walk during the break will have seen and certainly heard the progress. Demolition works commenced in December, with construction due to start in early April. We look forward the new building being operational in mid-2016.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that nominations for the ArtsAlumni 2015 Awards are now open. The Arts Alumni Awards recognise alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen field, and who have made a considerable contribution to the Faculty, the University and their communities through their endeavours. We are seeking nominations from the alumni community. If you are aware of alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen field I strongly encourage you to put their name forward. The Inaugural winner of the Faculty of Arts Rising Star Award Ellen Sandell, State MP for Melbourne has achieved an enormous amount since receiving the award in 2013. Graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science, Ms Sandell was soon after recognised as one on Melbourne's leading environmentalists, and was last year elected as State MP for Melbourne.

To all alumni, I hope you enjoy this edition of ARTiculation and I look forward to keeping you up to date with news from the Faculty of Arts.