Over the last two years the Future Arts Movement, a series of workshops, mentorships, and events for young people aged 12-25 years, has engaged 715 young people and connected them to artists and arts organisations throughout Gippsland.
Funded through VicHealth’s Future Reset: Young People, Arts and Mental Wellbeing initiative, the project’s feature event was the 2024 Expressions Festival in October 2024. This series of creative workshops and a festival event featuring 59 young artists was was presented with young people at the forefront and hosted by RAV and the West Gippsland Arts Centre.
A donation from supporter Renee Menzies from the disability advocacy organisation Voice for Choice allowed us to provide access to more young people to participate in the Expressions Festival program.
“I’ve witnessed incredible growth in the Young Producers from our first meeting when they didn’t speak much, to confidently generating ideas and voicing opinions that are supported community-focused reasoning… It is in their growth that the Expressions Festival truly succeeded.”
– Stephanie Clark, Future Reset Coordinator
The festival featured a vibrant mix of visual art, interactive exhibits, and live performances and shone a spotlight on the Corey Maric Youth Foundation, raising funds to support their vital mental health initiatives for local youth.
Image: Expressions Festival 2024, photograph: Lauren Murphy
Posted 18 December 2024