The negative impact of screens and social media on kids’ mental health and social skills is reflected in a generation of children and young adults plagued with social and mental health issues.
Excessive screen time provides an ever-present source of distraction, destroying the ability for kids to lose themselves in the magical world of their own imagination. Social media only exacerbates the problem with an intense focus on self.
Live theatre, music and performance gives kids a chance to move outside of themselves, to escape the screen, and to discover and engage with a world outside of their current reality, which is not always great.
Scoop has been working with and supporting the extraordinary arts organisations bringing the world of performance to millions of kids, including the physically, mentally and socially challenged that need it most.
How can you help?
We reviewed 6 amazing local arts companies helping kids in WA. You can provide support through sponsorships and donations, but also by getting your kids to see these performances. The more help they get, the more kids they reach and the better off we all are. Here are some of the best in WA.
1. Barking Gecko Arts
Barking Gecko has been inspiring the next generation of theatre enthusiasts for more than 35 years. Both entertaining and educational, Barking Gecko productions are renowned locally and internationally for quality and ambition. Recent season productions “The Snow” and “Cicada” both earnt multiple nominations in the Performing Arts WA awards.
Barking Gecko aims to make high-quality theatre accessible with affordable performances and in-school programs. Through Barking Gecko’s school program, children from around Perth and WA have had the opportunity to see live theatre, which for many, is their first experience.
Research shows that at-risk students benefit most from the integration of arts education as it promotes skills like self-expression, emotional intelligence and leads to higher rates of school attendance. Barking Gecko’s INSPIRE Program creates opportunities for under-resourced schools and students to experience arts education. Selected schools receive fully subsidised theatre showings or in-school performance theatre workshops and teachers receive free lesson plans to integrate into classroom learning.
Barking Gecko is a not-for-profit organisation and programs like INSPIRE are only possible with the support of donors and program partners.
2. AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things
(AWESOME Festival)
The AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things (AWESOME Festival) is Western Australia’s pinnacle children’s arts and culture event and is recognised in the top 25 children’s events in the world.
Held each year, the AWESOME Festival unites local and international artists for a range of spectacular performances and activities. However, this is just part of their offerings.
Year-round arts education is provided through the Creative Challenge program for schools. Participating schools host a team of professional artists for a two-week residency where they facilitate a series of workshops guiding students through the creative process from concept development to final product.
AWESOME relies on donations to keep supporting local schools and young people to engage in the arts. To ensure the kids that need it most can attend the festival, AWESOME also funds buses to transport kids from disadvantaged schools. A donation of just $25 pays for a child to attend the festival. Donations of $300+ contribute to the cost of a professional run in-class workshop.
The Awesome Arts international children’s festival is Western Australia’s pinnacle children’s arts and culture event and is recognised in the top 25 children’s events in the world.
The festival is the main annual event for Awesome Arts and brings together local and international artists for a variety of spectacular performances and activities. But it’s not all that they do.
Year-round arts education is provided through the Awesome Creative Challenge program for schools. Participating schools hosts a team of professional artists for a two-week residency where they facilitate a series of workshops guiding students through the creative process from concept development to final product.
Awesome art relies on donations to keep supporting local schools and young people to engage in the arts. To ensure the kids that need it most can attend the festival, Awesome Arts also funds buses to transport kids from disadvantaged schools. A donation of just $25 pays for a child to attend the festival. Donations of $300 + contribute to the cost of a professional run in-class workshop.
3. Musica Viva Australia
- Musica Viva Australia
Musica Viva has been touring national and international musicians around Australia for 80 years, but it’s the work they do to support emerging artists and bring the magic of music to students around Australia that sets them apart. Dynamic performances by Musica Viva Australia In Schools ensembles reach over 150,000 students annually, including students in regional areas.
Musica Viva Australia’s impactful programs range from in-school performances and lesson plans to emerging artist programs which identify, develop and support young musicians to pursue their dreams. Musica Viva also runs the annual Strike A Chord Competition, Australia’s largest national chamber music competition for students. Participants have the opportunity to attend master classes led by acclaimed artists and even receive one-on-one mentoring.
4. Sensorium Theatre
Sensorium is the only organisation in Australia that specialises in multi-sensory theatre designed specifically for children with disabilities, and in the last five years alone, have
brought the joy of performance to over 3500 children living with a disability.
Sensorium’s performances are tailored to the needs of each individual child and break all the rules of traditional theatre. Instead of sitting quiet, children are encouraged to engage with performers and immerse themselves in the story through sensory play.
Immersion in the performance environment produces stronger imaginative and creative responses which is particularly impactful for children with autism and cognitive disability. It is truly extraordinary to see the joy and confidence Sensorium theatre brings to the lives of these children and their families.
The theatre production process requires meticulous planning, consultation and training. Performers are required to undergo extensive training across a variety of disability needs and use pre-and post-show embedding resources to tailor performances to the needs of each individual.
It’s an expensive process and relies on donations. A $200 donation pays for a performer to deliver a sensory story or workshop to a school and donations of $500+ support the development of new theatre and storytelling work.
5. WAAPA: Friends of the Academy
WAAPA is one of the leading performing arts institutions in Australia and has produced globally recognised performers including Hugh Jackman, Meg Mac, Tim Minchin, William McInnes and Meyne Wyatt.
From production and design to musical theatre, dance or arts and culture management, WAAPA also offers the largest range of vocational performing arts courses in Australia. Students have access to world-class teachers and performance facilities, including internationally acclaimed guest artists and organisations. Each year, WAAPA also presents over 300 public performances.
The Friends of the Academy have been assisting students at WAAPA for more than 35 years. Through membership fees and fundraising, friends provides students with support for travel on international tours, purchase of instruments and equipment, assistance with relocation expenses associated with secondments, plus a range of other projects.
6. Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre has connected and inspired audiences through puppetry for over 40 years, reaching over 200,000 people per year through programs at their Fremantle studio and regional tours. Shows are designed to entertain audiences of all ages with themes that celebrate what it means to be human.
In addition to bringing the joy of live theatre to thousands of children, Spare Parts champions Western Australian artists with professional development opportunities at all levels including the residence program, industry collaborations with WAAPA and puppet making workshops. Children also get to experience the magic of puppetry through spare parts puppet playtime program which is designed specifically for children aged 3-5 years old.
You can support spare parts by donating, volunteering or even purchasing tickets to a show. Spare parts “Adopt a Puppet” option is a fun way for families to donate with packages ranging from $120 (bronze) to $1000 (platinum). Donors are acknowledged with an adoption pack and photo and invitations to puppet parent events. You can even adopt on someone’s behalf as a Christmas gift.
This season’s final production “Hometown” will run to the end of January at Ellie Eaton Theatre in Claremont.
