Arts programs play a key role in any community in entertainment, learning and celebrating culture. Arts West, an alliance of arts organisations reflecting exciting and diverse arts and culture in Melbourne’s inner west, understands this better than most.
Arts West is made up of eight organisations – youth literary organisation 100 Story Building; community arts and cultural festival Big West Festival; giant puppet company Snuff Puppets; Newport arts and creation space The Substation; Cohealth Arts Generator (formerly Barkly Arts Centre); Footscray Community Arts Centre; Western Edge Youth Arts and Women’s Circus.
The value of the Arts West network is to promote opportunities for locals to engage in exciting arts experiences right in their backyard. Arts and culture have a significant role to play in framing community engagement, well-being and social cohesion over generations. Arts West aims to better understand and engage with diverse communities and audiences.
The organisations of Arts West deliver year-round programs such as certified courses in dance, arts and culture. Outreach facilitators and peer education; education programs, including touring school-appropriate shows and after-school theatre programs are also available. And there are festivals and exhibitions, along with classes in story-telling and writing, acting, dance, digital media, puppet-making, female-only circus and tailor-made circus workshops.
Together, the member organisations of Arts West deliver the bulk of arts and cultural activities in Melbourne’s inner west and regionally, nationally and internationally. Arts West has an extensive and diverse reach, providing cultural services to more than 200,000 people annually.
Arts West grew from an initiative of Arts Victoria in 2012 which aimed to encourage arts organisations to work together and build sustainability. With the support of the Victorian government, through Creative Victoria and in partnership with Gandel Philanthropy and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Arts West has become the only co-operative arts marketing body of its kind in Australia.
Arts West. Inquiries: 0432 244 003 or www.artswest.com.au
