Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council Inc's (GACCI) plan to kick off a new arts-based youth program has just been given a boost from Arts Mid North Coast.
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GACCI was named among the successful recipients for a SHINE Microgrant, supported by Create NSW's RESTART program.
The mircogrant will provide the organisation with $1000 to help stage the launch event for the new program due to roll out this April.
It's not the first time the organisation has dabbled in arts-based youth programs, having run drama and visual arts workshops as well as an annual talent showcase in the past.
According to GACCI's secretary and event co-organiser Bob Swadling, this new program is being designed to engage a more diverse range of interests across the performance arts spectrum.
Getting a funding boost from the SHINE grant will help the program get some legs with a launch event to help draw in the crowds.
"We've been working on starting up a creative arts-based program for the high school students in our community," Bob explained. "This funding will allow us to bring in professionals to workshop with music, drama, dance, art and production to see what the youth of Gloucester are interested in."
The launch is due to take place on Friday, April 30 at the Gloucester Citizens Centre, which is a precursor to a school-term program that will work toward a "main performance event". What that ends up being will be in-part driven by the interests of the youth who take part in the program.
Bob, who is also a casual music teacher at Gloucester High School, envisions the program to be an opportunity for teens aged 13 - 18 years to try out what aspects of performance art they want to learn more about.
"GACCI Youth is looking to provide a chance for young people to test the waters in areas like big band, set design, sound engineering, script writing and choreography," Bob explained.
More information about the GACCI Youth Art-Based Performance Production Workshop will become available in the coming week, with plans to set up a registration for interested students.
GACCI is looking to have the program run under the Creative Kids voucher program to help cover the cost for students to attend.
The SHINE Microgrant program is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Arts Restart.
Did you know?
GACCI is a not-for-profit volunteer-run arts organisation established in 1999 by a group of art-minded community members to promote an inclusive arts and cultural community in Gloucester. Its long term initiatives are Gloucester Gallery, GACCI Players and Pix from the Stix.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
