State Government funds youth art initiative

05/03/00
Western Australia's first dedicated network organisation for young people and the arts has been established with a new $270,000 State Government program.
The Youth Arts Network will be run by Community Arts Network (WA), Country Arts WA and the Youth Affairs Council of WA. The groups successfully made a joint application to take on the project for a three-year trial.
The initiative was developed in response to a recommendation of the Working Party for Young People and the Arts, set up to help the State Government develop a policy statement and priorities for action for youth arts programs.
Arts Minister Mike Board said the Network would have many functions, but its ultimate aims were to expose a younger audience to the arts and encourage participation in artistic projects.
Young people would have a direct involvement in the establishment and management of the program to ensure it was relevant and had the greatest impact.
"The Youth Arts Network will promote young people's art and cultural activities, provide information about what is available to them as audiences, offer resources for those who want to take part in activities and present programs to address the main barriers to participation and attendance at arts and cultural events," Mr Board said.
"The funding will also be used to initiate projects, produce a newsletter or magazine and employ a field officer.
"This is an exciting initiative which pulls together three significant organisations to provide a much-needed service."
Mr Board said the Youth Arts Network would work with Youth Advisory Councils, schools and local government authorities throughout the State.
"Young people's interest and ability in the arts has always been strong, take for instance the Youth Rock Eisteddfod and the incredible talent that event exposes," he said.
"There are many youth theatre groups that provide top class entertainment, young musicians, dancers and visual artists - whether classical or contemporary.
"What the network will do is provide an agency to pull these people together and encourage others to explore what is available to them as entertainment and activities in which they can participate.
"Young people who are involved in arts activities get a great deal of pride and sense of community out of their work - as well as an opportunity to develop new careers.
"This is an exciting project and I'm thrilled the State Government has been able to provide the funds to support it."
Media contact: Tamatha Smith 9222 9211