It was one of Sydney's four main art schools and in its heyday in the late 1980s and early '90s had more than 1000 students, 100 staff including highly respected Australian artists, and status in the arts world.

Then considered the ``jewel in the crown'' of the university it produced artists such as Brook Andrew, Raquel Ormella and Con Gouriotis (now Casula Powerhouse director), while the theatre program has produced actors such as David Wenham.

Over the past decade, as the university has been restructured, the art department has been reduced and funding diverted to other disciplines.

By the end of this year, the only elements left from the original school will be music and art equipment.

UWS said art courses are not attracting enough students.

But critics say this is because not enough has been invested into marketing the courses and that the university was missing an opportunity to support a cutting-edge industry.

In July 2007, a forum held at Blacktown Arts Centre discussed the state of the art world of western Sydney.

The decline of the UWS arts department was on the agenda but university management did not accept an invitation to attend.