Brophy Family and Youth Services
Education
A collaborative response to youth disengagement in regional Victoria
Case Study: Castlemaine State Festival
ProjectThe ASCEND Program
Amount$90,000 over three years
Date2016
ProgramPast Programs | Arts and Culture
| TRUST OBJECTIVES | PROJECT OBJECTIVES |
|---|---|
| This grant was approved under our previous grants policy (Jan 2014 – March 2017) | |
| Rural and regional Victoria | For the direct experience and benefit of young people from across rural Central Victoria |
| Building organisational capacity | Employing an Education Coordinator to enable delivery of a year-round experiential arts and culture program |
| Extending opportunity | Expanding opportunities for young people, most in need, through targeted partnerships and project participation |
| Collaboration and partnership | 15 schools in Mt Alexander Shire, kindergarten and Day Centres Dept of Education, philanthropy, libraries, museums, arts and community organisations |
Nurturing creative pathways for Central Victorian children and young adults
This multifaceted year-round project engages and connects young people, children and their families with creativity in a long term sustainable way, building literacy and vocational opportunities
Image Loomusica, 2015 Castlemaine State Festival. Photo: Pen Tayler
Regional communities have limited capacity to access professional cultural experiences. The ASCEND Program provides a pathway throughout the year, for children and young people within the Mount Alexander Shire, to experience ongoing creative programs that focus on literacy’s broadest definition: giving children the opportunity to express themselves through captivating storytelling, music, visual arts, media, drama, reading and writing programs.
Snapshot:
- A year-round signature program of literacy-focussed arts education reaching 2,000 preschool, primary and secondary students over three years.
- Lays the foundations for pre-literacy development for children in early and formative years, particularly 0-5yrs.
- Establishes and strengthens collaborations with key regional health, community, education and cultural organisations in the Central Victorian region.
- Improves opportunity for teachers and families to participate in creative programs.
- Ongoing commissioned data capture by LaTrobe University’s CSF: Arts in Education Research Project will continue to provide documented findings for sharing and learning as well as inform program engagement and development.
"The impact of HMSTrust's multi-year grant has had an immediate and positive effect. For the first time we are able to engage a skilled Education Coordinator, giving the necessary time and vital experience to connect deeply with participating children, schools, parents, carers and artists." Martin Paten, Festival Director, Castlemaine State Festival.
