Since setting up The Lionel Gell Foundation, Mr Gell has been a keen supporter of the Faculty of the VCA and Music (VCAM).

For the past two years, the Foundation has supported students through a combination of fee, bursary and travel scholarships, but this year all the scholarships are to support students undertaking their final year of undergraduate studies.

This year the Lionel Gell Foundation scholarships will cover fees and provide a bursary for nine students across each VCAM School.

“I felt that supporting the students’ final year sets them up for their future artistic profession. I’m amazed at how far students can make the money go,” said Mr Gell, who has known tough times himself.

Mr Gell grew up in West Brunswick, Melbourne in a family that often struggled to make ends meet. From an early age Mr Gell took part-time jobs to contribute to the family’s income. Despite being interested in pursuing art, Mr Gell had neither the finances, nor the time. At 14, Mr Gell left school and worked tirelessly at several successful businesses. It’s this success that allows Mr Gell to support VCAM so generously. It’s plain to see the impact of the scholarship for this year’s recipient, Camille Robinson.

“I am very grateful for the income support this scholarship has brought me. To put it briefly, without the support of this scholarship I would not have been able to commit the time necessary to develop my art to the degree that I have in the past year. When it comes to
attempting to enhance one’s facility in the art of composition, time is an essential and priceless commodity.”

But the scholarship means more to Camille than an opportunity to hone artistic abilities. Camille adds that “this scholarship has lightened the financial pressure associated with studying as a parent, and it has largely saved me having to make the difficult and almost impossible choice between spending time working, spending time making my art, and spending time with my daughter. In this respect the benefit to me and my family cannot
be under estimated.” Other recipients have similar views.

But the benefits are not one-way because Mr Gell takes pleasure from hearing from recipients and attending VCAM events. Indeed, Mr Gell carries a postcard from a recipient who used the scholarship to study in the USA. The postcard thanks Mr Gell and tells of the recipient’s experiences. “I’ve found that offering the scholarships means so much to the students,” said Mr Gell.

In addition to offering the scholarships, the Lionel Gell Foundation supports two intensive art masterclass programs each year. The program reflects Mr Gell’s life long interest in portrait painting and is in memory of his friend, and portrait painter, Ms Dora McRae. The program invites students from the VCAM School of Art to work with visiting artists to further the development of students’ figurative artistic practice.