This tapestry has been commissioned by the National Institute of Circus Arts for the new National Circus Centre to celebrate the contribution to the arts made by Sir Rupert Hamer, former Premier of Victoria and Minister for the Arts. The VTW was established by the Victorian Government in 1976, following a feasibility study commissioned by Sir Rupert when he was Victorian Arts Minister. Following his retirement from public office in 1981, Sir Rupert went on to serve on a number of boards, and in 1998-2004 was Founding Chairman of the National Institute of Circus Arts, a centre which offers professional training in contemporary circus arts. The Workshop was one of Sir Rupert's first major arts initiatives, and NICA was his last. Both organizations are unique in Australia, and Sir Rupert was a driving force behind their formation. This tapestry, based on a painting by Ken Whisson, is a visible symbol of his lifelong dedication to the arts.