Best experience ever! Positive response to ArtStart
5 August 2009 | ArtStart editor

"Intense, exciting and informative and a good chance to voice my opinions about things that matter" (Basel from Moorebank)

 

“Best experience ever! I never thought something like this existed". (Moses from Mount Druitt)

 

These are just some of the comments from participants involved in a series of film-making and digital storytelling projects, conducted by Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) as part of the Western Sydney ArtStart program.

 

The comments were highlighted in the midterm reports submitted by ArtStart coordinating organisations. Over 150 projects are underway in 23 different locations. Digital storytelling, video, hip hop dance and self devised performance are popular art forms in this year’s extensive range of ArtStart workshops and projects.

 

The midterm reports also highlighted some new approaches in how ArtStart programs are structured and delivered. An emerging trend is to combine a single larger-scale coordinated project across one region with a number of smaller projects.  In the Hunter region, for example, a series of five creative development retreats is being offered. This will be followed by a small grants round to support young people to run projects in their communities using skills learnt at the retreats.

 

Measuring the skills that young people develop is another important aspect of ArtStart.  ArtStart projects use a range of tools, such as self assessments, questionnaires, checklists and social networking sites to record young people’s progress and encourage feedback.

Events, performances, exhibitions, concerts and forums, are also important markers of skills development and will feature prominently in the ArtStart festival fortnight, starting on 27 September 2009.

 

To find out more about what’s on offer in your area, follow the link to your region in the community profile pages.