Shockwave Festival is the only event of it’s kind for young people in Central West Queensland... and it needs your help!

 

Shockwave is an annual multi arts festival made by, for and with young people in the Central West and is set for June 4 & 5, 2011. In 2010 this event attracted over 650 people from across regional Qld to the Blackall Memorial Hall & Skate Park for a 2 day creative explosion of music, art, performance & workshops.

 

The festival is a place for outback communities to celebrate exchange, learn about creative arts and for young people to experience the freedom of artistic expression.

 

‘Shockwave’s the only chance I ever get to express the real me’

Performer, age 16, Longreach... this is exactly the reason we’re asking for your help!

 

We all know it's been a devastating year for Qld. Now more than ever we need to give young people from all over regional & remote areas the chance to connect, share their passions and look to the future. Shockwave is a place this can happen and to make it a reality we need CASH! Well $19,000 as a start...

 

I know this could sound like a lot but if everyone digs deep and donates $20 each only 950 people have to give and we're there! That's achievable and within your budget right?  Remember we can exceed our goal too so don't stop giving.

 

How you can DONATE?

 

There are a number of levels of support you can give to Shockwave: $20, $50, $100, $1000 & $10,000. Every dollar counts and you can donate in between these amounts too so if you want to give $348.25 you can!

 

Hey and for young people who want to donate some pocket money and don't have a credit card to do it - here's what we want you to do. Remember you don't have to have $20 either - you can get 4 friends together and donate $5 each! We've designated DONATION FRIENDS in a couple of places:

 

+ In the Blackall & Tambo area you can take your cash to Lisa Goodman. She&%2339;ll take your name/s (for our sponsors board) & donate on your behalf.

 

+ In the Longreach area you can take your cash to Megan Johannesen. She'll do the same as Lisa.

 

+ For all young people outside these regional QLD areas please email Brooke Newall & we can arrange a bank deposit on your behalf.

 

For organisations (or individuals) who think supporting Shockwave on a larger or long term scale is a priority - we are very interested to talk with you! Please email Brooke to start the conversation.

 

Your support will not only grant you our sincere thanks but we'll also make sure to tell the world too! Online & print acknowledgements, festival goodies & even time in the outback with the festival artists & crew is on offer... check out our rewards to see what you could get for giving.

 

What will we spend all this money ON? 

Shockwave is a FREE event!

 

EMPLOYING YOUNG PEOPLE: The Shockwave Festival employs local young people as festival producers, performers and artists. In it&%2339;s 2 year history we&%2339;ve employed 28 young people to work on the festival in some capacity. They are mentored by professionals & given skills for future career pathway development. For some of them it&%2339;s the first time they&%2339;ve been paid and have had their creative talents taken seriously.

 

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ARTSWORKERS: Shockwave Festival is about process and product. Skilled artsworkers are needed in the region the lead up to the festival to work closely with young people & the wider community to ensure best practice is met throughout this time. We need your support to get our artsworkers into communities prior to the festival to educate, mentor and help coordinate the event.

 

GETTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE FESTIVAL: Young people travel up to 700 kilometres or more to come to Shockwave! As communities are doing it tough we want to help them to bring as many young people as they can to the festival in 2011. We will assist with the cost of buses, fuel, accommodation & food for visiting communities.

 

ART MATERIALS: To make sure we have a festival full of creative workshops we need to ensure we can buy enough materials. Helping us to afford these will ensure we can work with our theme of 'lighting up the west' by dressing the site, supplying workshop needs &  offering young people the chance to take their creations home from the festival.

 

MARKETING & PROMOTION: Every young person attending the festival would love to take home a Shockwave Festival badge or sticker, right? Or those who&%2339;ve dedicated their time as volunteers over the weekend deserve a t shirt as a token of appreciation, don&%2339;t you think? You know your support will help make this happen.

 

How did Shockwave START?

 

Shockwave Festival is a part of the 'Creative Pathways in the Central West' (Creative Pathways) program. Creative Pathways is a creative skills and enterprise development program for young people in Central West Qld. We deliver ongoing creative workshops in a number of communities throughout each year along with enterprise and professional development  support and showcasing opportunities.

 

The program is an initiative of Human Ventures (us) and the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council and began in 2007. The idea for the Shockwave Festival was birthed in 2008 in consultation with 22 young people from across the region and has previously been delivered in partnership with local, regional, state & national agencies.

 

To see some work by our young artists including film, photography, art, animation & more - then get to know us on facebook. Be friends with us at 'Shockwave Blackall' & like 'Creative Pathways' - SIMPLE! 

 

We are so thankful for the support we are already receiving and to our wonderful partners who have made this festival and our program possible. We also want young people to know we're all working hard to ensure they have a safe space to take creative risks and express themselves freely. We need your support to ensure this happens again in 2011.

 

Shockwave Festival is POZIBLE... if we all dig deep! We thank you right now for making that choice.