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What is the VCE Season of Excellence

What is the VCE Season of Excellence?

The annual VCE Season of Excellence comprises twelve concerts (Top Class and Top Acts), two exhibitions (Top Designs and Top Arts), a research presentation program (Top Talks) and multiple screenings of short films (Top Screen) presented in Melbourne's major cultural venues from February–June.

Works on show are by a representative sample of outstanding VCE and VCE VET students from the previous year, for the benefit of current students and teachers.

The Season is a cross-sectoral project, involving students from government, Catholic and independent schools. Staff from the three sectors are on audition and selection panels. The aim of the Season is to benchmark for VCE assessment and curriculum through showcasing exemplary student work and associated education programs.

Season and audition panels comprise the state reviewers and assistant state reviewers for visual arts studies; the chief assessors and assistant chief assessors for performing arts studies, subject association representatives where appropriate, and regional teacher representatives. The latter are appointed every two years through SSMS. VCAA Notices to Schools and the VCAA Bulletin advise when vacancies are available on panels.

The Season directly supports the VCAA's goal to support high quality education, recognise student achievement and best practice for teaching, and encourage students to move into allied work areas and further study.

Top Talks

Top Talks showcases exceptional oral presentations from VCE Extended Investigation students.

Selected students share their original and rigorous independent research and findings through 8–10 minute presentations. Following the presentations, a Q&A panel session is held with the presenters.

Top Talks is held at the State Library Victoria.

Top Talks selection process

Top Talks ticketing and venue information


Top Screen

Top Screen presents films including short fictions, animation and documentaries created by VCE Media students, plus associated education sessions with the filmmakers and State Reviewers. Top Screen is held at ACMI.

Top Screen application information

Top Screen ticketing and venue information


Top Designs

Top Designs is an annual exhibition at Melbourne Museum presenting work created by students who completed VCE Media, Product Design and Technology, Theatre Studies, Systems Engineering, Visual Communication Design and VCE VET studies including Creative and Digital Media, Furnishing, Engineering Studies, Integrated Technologies and Music Industry (Sound Production).

Top Designs application information

Top Designs ticketing and venue information


Top Class

Top Class presents twelve concerts by outstanding VCE performing arts students who have completed VCE Dance and VCE VET Dance, VCE Drama, Theatre Studies, Music Performance, Music Investigation, Music Style & Composition and VCE VET Music Industry. Performances are compered by the chief assessors for performance studies.

Top Class Sound features performances of original musical works composed by students undertaking VCE Music Investigation and Music Style and Composition, who have created original music as part of Unit 3 and 4 Assessment tasks.

The Top Class concert series is held at the Melbourne Recital Centre and Arts Centre Melbourne.

Top Class selection process

Top Class ticketing and venue information


Top Arts

Top Arts is an exhibition of photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, film and printmaking produced by VCE Art and Studio Arts students, held at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

Top Arts application information

Top Arts ticketing and venue information


Top Acts

Top Acts is an evening concert which presents up to 40 performers from the Top Class concert series in one stunning event. VCE works across dance, drama, theatre studies, and music are blended together into a dynamic presentation.

Top Acts selection process

Top Acts ticketing and venue information