Art program funding to help boost wellbeing for young people
Young people across Western Australia are set to benefit from a new round of creative programs aimed at supporting mental, social and emotional wellbeing, as well as strengthening community connections.
The Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People Program is a partnership between the WA Government and Healthway, designed to engage young people in meaningful arts experiences that build confidence, encourage self-expression and resilience.
The program empowers local artists and creative organisations to connect with communities, offering young people ongoing, hands-on arts activities that promote mental, social and emotional wellbeing.
Originally launched as a pilot in 2024, the program provided $600,000 in funding to 8 organisations. These projects not only improved young people's wellbeing but also created long-term employment opportunities for artists.
This year, more than $1 million has been awarded to 18 projects, highlighting the powerful impact that meaningful and ongoing creative experiences can have on young people's development.
Successful applicants for this round include:
- Arts Margaret River — $47,900 for Experimental Youth Storytelling
- Ashlyn Jada Koh (First Block Sounds) — $34,709 for The Young Women of Mowanjum
- Black Swan State Theatre Company — $75,000 for Regional Holiday Workshop
- Breaksea Inc — $75,000 for 2026 Regional Youth Ensembles
- City of Melville — $75,000 for BlakSounds
- Community Arts Network — $75,000 for Noongar Nursery Rhymes
- Constable Care — $75,000 for Reel Talk
- Curate — $60,000 for Music Makers Just for Minis
- Ellenbrook Arts Centre — $75,000 for My Story, My World
- Fleur Hockey — $52,155 for The 'Level Up Program'
- Globe Town Project — $17,295 for StoryLab Teen Writers Program
- MilkTooth — $75,000 for Comics-Making
- Rachel Riggs — $69,000 for The HOME Program
- RTR FM — $59,343 for Breaking Sound Barriers
- Shire of Carnarvon — $75,000 for Carnarvon Creative Sparks
- Southern Edge Arts — $75,000 for Kwoorabup/Denmark Workshop
- Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation — $47,600 for Wyndham Youth Engagement
- Woodlupine Family Centre —$25,890 for Youth Mural Project