Geraldton arts organisation Regional Sounds awarded grant to develop workshops for young artists

A youth arts organisation in Geraldton has received funding to develop a series of workshops catering to a number of artists.

Regional Sounds was awarded $3000 from Regional Arts WA’s Next Gen grants program, which aims to deliver arts activities for young people.

The initiative will see the organisation put on a number of workshops, including painting, t-shirt design, song writing and stagecraft, and videography.

The program will run across three terms and will finish with an exhibition to highlight the works from those participating.

Regional Sounds arts development officer Sarah Hinton said.

“Young people who have participated in our programming and workshops have expressed a desire for more consistent opportunities to get together and create,” she said.

“Through this new program, and with the soon to be announced Buskers Guide to Geraldton, we are creating more avenues for youth to showcase their talent and potentially find alternate forms of part-time employment.”

The program will see young creatives collaborate under the eyes of local artists.

According to the organisation, the mentoring will help those participating to develop and enhance their skills, while drawing on inspiration from those who have been in the industry.

Hayley Savage, owner of Sunflower Studio, has been called upon as one of the mentors for the project.

She said she was keen to pass on her knowledge to the emerging artists.

“Being a small business owner and a one-person business, I was extremely excited when Regional Sounds approached me regarding this project,” she said.

“Their time and expertise in grant writing is an absolute asset to our community, as it enables local businesses like myself to utilise funding we wouldn’t have had otherwise time to apply for.

“They have created an awesome initiative I am looking forward to immensely and am sure this will be the first collaboration of many.”

More information about the program will be released by Regional Sounds later this year.