Image by Simeon Neo for Weight-Wait Mentorship and Exhibition, KickstART 2022.
Image is of four young people standing next to each other smiling and laughing inside an art gallery. One is holding up a ‘peace’ sign. They are in front of a large window and above them is an artwork. It is a white canvas material with red writing and images of renascence paintings.
Propel is calling out to independent artists aged 12 - 26 and youth-led organisations interested in running a project – be it a workshop, performance, exhibition, talk, special event, mentorship program or something completely different – as part of next year’s KickstART Festival.
We have reserved a very limited number of programming slots for next year’s Festival to give you the chance to pitch to us your project idea and why you think it would offer a valuable experience for young people in Western Australia.
*Applications closes 11.59pm AWST on Monday 24 October 2022. Please read below before applying.
Who are we looking for:
We are seeking small to medium project ideas that are realistic and have positive outcomes for young people aged 12-26, and have demonstrated considerations towards connectivity, inclusivity, and accessibility. They can be workshops, performances, mentorship programs, an exhibition, or anything else your imagination comes up with!
We want to hear your wildest ideas and your biggest dreams. We are open to whatever form your project might take. We want you to experiment, to take a deep dive into the proverbial unknown waters. But don’t worry, we’ll be right here to help you swim.
Extra considerations:
Your project idea does not necessarily need to be arts focused, though there should be an element of creativity or youth interests involved.
Your project can be a completely new idea or have been presented previously.
You do not have to provide a project budget, but your project should be flexible to potential alterations in overall scale.
This year, our vision includes a keen interest in digitally intrinsic activities – which is to say, events that can only exist authentically online. Think less a Zoom workshop and more VR experiences, virtual worlds, online spaces, a special broadcast (radio, YouTube etc), high scale livestreams. Let your imaginations take you.
If you do need some ideas, you can find some examples below, all should be hyperlinked:
BROCKHAMPTON | Live at the Chapel - (example one) / (example two)
ULTRA UNREAL | MCA 2022 (an art exhibition focusing on digital conversations, ecosystems, and experiences)
Fortnite Digital Concerts / events – (example one) / (example two) / (example three)
If the conversation becomes necessary due to COVID - 19, we wouldn’t cancel any events entirely just move them to a different platform. Should this issue arise, we will make sure to have thorough conversations about how to deliver your project as close to the original vision as possible.
If you are successful, you will be:
Working in consultation with the team at Propel, including our Creative Coordinator for the 2023 KickstART Festival, to refine your project.
Offered a venue in-kind by Propel and one of our venue partners.[SM1]
Provided with a negotiated artist fee to produce your project.
Featured in the KickstART Festival brochure and other promotional material.
How applications will be selected:
The Propel team will consider all ideas, however a shortlist will be presented to the KickstART Festival Youth Planning Committee who will make the final decisions based on the shortlisted submissions, in mid-November.
A short list will be determined based on:
Scalability
Uniqueness
Responsiveness to youth related topics and issues
Ability to adapt to an online model
Application Due Date:
Applications must be received before 11.59pm AWST on Monday 24 October 2022.
Late applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified on the outcome of their project pitch by mid-November 2022.
Key information of the project must be submitted via the Jot Form in the Apply Here Button.
Any further supporting material emailed to hello@propel.org.au.
This can include things like photos of previous works, letters of support, sketches, script excerpts or workshop outlines.
If you have any questions or would like to talk over your application, feel free to organise a meeting with the 2023 Creative Coordinator Sophie Minissale, her email is sophie@propel.org.au . If you would like to submit your responses via video (3 minutes maximum), please email this to hello@propel.org.au with the subject line PYP VIDEO RESPONSE: YOUR NAME (e.g., PYP VIDEO RESPONSE: SOPHIE MINISSALE).
People from all artistic disciplines and stages of practice are encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage applications from artists who identify as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and/or First Nations, artists living with disability, artists who identify as LGBTQIA+, as well artists who have not worked with Propel Youth Arts WA before.