St Martins - Case For Support - 2024

IT STARTS AT ST MARTINS

CELEBRATE AND NURTURE THE CREATIVE VOICES OF YOUNG AUSTRALIANS

DO WE HAVE TO HAVE HOPE TO EVOLVE? ”

TORREYZ, 11 YEARS OLD, DANDENONG PRIMARY SCHOOL YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS PROGRAM

WELCOME TO ST MARTINS YOUTH ARTS CENTRE, AN UNCOMMON PLACE OF WONDER.

We create astonishing original artworks while providing a platform for inclusive arts practice, in a collaboration between children and professional artists.

You all have helped me gain confidence as well as talk to a big crowd of strangers and I can’t thank you guys enough.

- Izzy, 11, Gene Tree: Listen. Now. Again performer

It is timely and necessary to have companies like St Martins making powerful works with young people to present to adult audiences and stir up public discussion about what diverse Australian youth feels and thinks and about its dreams for Australia’s future.

- Rachael Maza, Artistic Director, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company

For current information about our shows, workshops and spaces for hire visit stmartinsyouth.com.au

ST MARTINS

This is where young Australians dare to dream, dare to step into the spotlight, dare to express themselves in ways they may never before have felt safe to explore.

We have 40 years of practice to draw on, and an endless passion for supporting young artists from 5-to-18-years of age as they take their first steps into a creative life, whether that leads to a career in the arts or a more rounded, expressive, confident life beyond our stage.

St Martins offers a unique methodology where children and teenagers collaborate with professional artists to create work for audiences of all ages.

We invest in local stories and talent while ensuring that children are equal owners of the creative process and are recognised as artists in their own right.

Our programs are the roots that feed the thriving garden of Australian theatre.

Many of today’s leading artists got their start among our artistic workshops when they were young. But we are more than that. Creativity is vital for youthful growth and development, adding dimensions beyond the everyday as young people explore their deeper selves. Our work provides the richer experience that comes from artistic expression.

Ours is a diverse, inclusive, beloved community and a purposeful one.

St Martins is currently seeking support to grow. We want to enrich the lives of even more young people.

“ IT IS NOW WIDELY DOCUMENTED... THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE LEARNING IS EMBEDDED IN THE ARTS ACHIEVE BETTER GRADES AND OVERALL TEST SCORES, ARE LESS LIKELY TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY, RARELY REPORT BOREDOM AND HAVE A MORE POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT THAN THOSE THAT ARE DEPRIVED OF ARTS EXPERIENCES. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.”

- PROFESSOR ROBYN EWING, AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION REVIEW

WHY WE NEED YOU

St Martins’ output is exceptional and substantial and with your support, we have major ambitions to do even more.

Make a difference today by supporting us, where your generosity will enable:

• Providing 20 annual scholarships for equitable access to our workshops, reinforcing our expertise in inclusive practices.

• Expanding Young Changemakers programs, benefiting over 60 disadvantaged primary school children facing greater access barriers.

• Strengthening core infrastructure for increased performance and event capacity.

• Mentoring graduates for a career in the arts via our Young Artists’ Pathways program.

• Extending workshop programs to offer over 14,000 youth experiences annually, including 1000 workshops across Melbourne.

• Sustaining and growing a thriving independent arts hub, hosting 1200 events with 18,000 attendees yearly.

Your donation ensures proven lifechanging outcomes for young people participating in our programs:

• Unlocking the potential for confident self-expression, empowering young individuals to champion social change by amplifying their voices.

• Cultivating well-rounded leaders in a collaborative, supportive team setting, boosting motivation, emotional intelligence, and discipline.

• Fostering a harmonious, inclusive community with enhanced tolerance for diversity and differences.

100% of young people feel connected to other young people at St Martins.

100% of young people believe that their contributions matter.

100% of young people feel better after having attended a workshop St Martins.

95% of young people feel supported to try new things.

95% of young people feel proud of what they do.

5

1

16 Green Room Award nominations

1

Best Live Art Award Melbourne Fringe

873 Green Room Awards

115

10,000 20 GLOBE Award nomination for Outstanding Community Advocacy

That’s more than

Individual scholarships per year for young people with barriers to access our South Yarra and Northcote workshops AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Workshops annually delivered across South Yarra and Northcote

Young Changemakers workshops delivered annually across St Albans, Dandenong and Prahran Housing Estate in communities facing barriers to accessing the arts

Workshops experiences for young people each year

- Jayden, 10, Young Changemakers Program

- Parent, Teens Workshop Program

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

Donate!

Your one-time donation empowers St Martins to continue creating transformative experiences for young people. Become a regular supporter by selecting the monthly donation option, ensuring a lasting impact on our vibrant community!

The time to donate is now: stmartinsyouth.com.au/donate Advocate!

Speak loudly and proudly about us to funding decision-makers, or even to somebody you know with deep pockets and a love of arts. Let others know we need their help.

Turn up!

St Martins shows are powerful, funny, emotional and sharp. Our performances have won many independent theatre awards and are critically acclaimed, so don’t miss out. Enrol your child in our workshops, host your next event in one of our spaces, buy tickets to our shows.

We would love to see you!

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

The empowerment with all the students involved with St Martins has been amazing to witness. Students who were once reluctant to speak, communicating with older students and the general public, feeling confident and comfortable. This has had a huge impact on the students’ self-esteem, which has already increased their confidence in their academic ability. One student who has a complex trauma background previously had difficulty controlling his emotions and connecting. He now engages with other students, demonstrating improved self-confidence and ability to self-regulate his emotions. His teacher reports that there have been no issues with the student in the classroom and his concentration has improved. He is so proud of what he achieved, and we are too!

- Dandenong Primary School Teacher

The artistic quality of St Martins’ work is demonstrably high and has been noted by critics, public and award panels. This unique company … invites participation, inclusion and agency of children and teenagers, to tell socially conscious stories to adult audiences with artistry and care.

- Angharad Wynne-Jones, former head of creative engagement, Arts Centre Melbourne

I think in some way the workshops I went to at St Martins saved my life (dramatic, I know). I developed depression quite young and had a bit of a rough teenage experience, like everyone. But I got into those workshops and felt like I’d been released into the wild for the first time. There were people like me – these beautiful people that cared about each other.

- Isabella Vadiveloo, theatremaker, director, MTC, Red Stitch, VCA.

I HAD ALWAYS FELT LIKE A MISFIT AND SUDDENLY I BELONGED. ST MARTINS WAS A LIFESAVER.”

PETRA KALIVE, THEATREMAKER, FORMER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, MTC, UNION HOUSE THEATRE