Real Futures Gascoyne and the Shire of Carnarvon have partnered together to create a masterpiece – The Carnarvon Community Art Hub!
Under the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s (NIAA) Trialling Pathways for Real Jobs program, our Real Futures team have the opportunity to invest in community projects and employ local staff.
Through community consultation and co-design, we identified a need for a creative space in Carnarvon as there was nothing currently available.
This led to a partnership proposal with the Shire of Carnarvon, and the project took off from there!
Real Futures set-up the Hub, are responsible for the operating costs and employ 5 local people to run the space.
The Shire of Carnarvon organises programs and artistry training events, applies for grants and funding, and assists with the hub management.
Although Real Futures works with and employs First Nations people, the Art Hub is for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents and visitors.
Crafting a Creative Space
Before the arts and crafts could begin, we needed a Hub!
In November 2023, our team along with eight Aspirants got to work renovating an unused store in the centre of town.
You can read about their renovation skills in this feature story
A Hive of Activity
Since opening its doors, the Carnarvon Art Hub has been a hive of arty activity – what a joy to see!
We’ve had a range of workshops including pottery, jewellery-making, sewing, weaving, painting and art therapy. There’s even a 3D printer accompanied by creative technology sessions!
Our Hub participants include aged care groups, school children, the NAGLA women’s group, people with disabilities, parents and carers groups, and local Indigenous elders.
If it’s creative, it’s happening there!
Local art studio G Stop have fully embraced the Hub and we love seeing their updates of all the classes they host.
As well as workshops and classes, the space is also an exhibition gallery and store. This means we can support local artists to share their talents and sell their work.
Aboriginal Women’s Placemaking & Art Project
In March 2024, Real Futures and the Shire of Carnarvon were delighted to receive a $10,000 grant from the Department of Communities for the Beautiful Streets – Aboriginal Women’s Placemaking & Art Project!
This project aims to empower Aboriginal women by nurturing their artistic skills and give them the opportunity to create public art installations, including painted pots and window skins on vacant shops.
These installations will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of Carnarvon streets but also contribute to reducing youth and public asset crime.
Andrea Selvey, Shire of Carnarvon CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating:
“This grant is a significant investment in our community’s efforts to beautify our streets, fostering a sense of pride.”
With many of this artwork near completion, we’re excited to see it take centre stage around the Carnarvon town centre.
Creativity Expressed!
The Real Futures team are proud to facilitate a much needed and already much-loved centre for creativity and connection in Carnarvon.
And this is only the beginning! We expect a full schedule of workshops and events in 2024, local creativity expressed and a lot of fun!
We’d like to thank the Shire of Carnarvon for being the ultimate local partner, not just on the Art Hub but on the many projects we work on together around our community.
