Young People and the Arts

Sometimes, it's easy to forget that young people need more than just a good education to become well-rounded adults. No time is this more pertinent than in November, otherwise known as the 'Dreaded Month of Exams' for high school, VCE and university students.

But with summer fast on our heels, it's important to remember that school is only one part of young people’s development. Research shows that involvement in the arts can have a positive impact on a young person's mental health and wellbeing.

Whether it be dancing, painting, music or acting, the arts encourage confidence and self-expression, community engagement and in many cases, physical activity.

Get creative: It's good for you!

It's not often that healthy and fun are used in the same sentence, but when it comes to the arts, the two are the best of friends. There's a growing body of international research that suggests arts-based programs can have all sorts of positive effects on a young person's life.

The University of Melbourne's Dr Christine Sinclair recently wrote a literature review for Arts Victoria that reinforced the link between the arts and a young person's performance at school. The report showed arts participation improved cognitive and social learning outcomes, increased motivation, led to greater engagement in school, and taught young people the importance of identity, tolerance and diversity.

These benefits are reinforced by the federal government's 2007 National Education and the Arts Statement, which suggested Arts experiences encouraged learning, and helped build social cohesion, respect, spirit and active local citizenship within the community. At a more basic level, joining a local arts group can be a be a great way for young people to make new friends and try something exciting and different.

It's also a good excuse to get out of the house as the weather warms up!

Putting things into MOTION

This year, VicHealth is launching MOTION, a program that encourages physical activity and social connections through community arts projects. Many of the seven funded projects are aimed at young people and set to run throughout the summer months.

These community initiatives aren't your standard art lesson or dance class. VicHealth hunted far and wide to find the most exciting and fun initiatives to get people creative, physically active and connected to their community.

VicHealth's senior project officer for social connection, the arts and new media, Jim Rimmer, says MOTION is primarily geared towards exposing young people to new ideas and experiences within their community.

“The need to belong, to be connected, should not be underestimated. People who are socially isolated and excluded are more likely to experience low self-esteem, psychological distress and are more at risk of coronary heart disease,” he says.

“In saying that, we live in a world that is becoming increasingly inactive, which, in turn, means we also have to make a conscious effort to get up and get moving more often.”

With that in mind, VicHealth made sure each MOTION project included some form of physical activity together with the arts. Whether it is a super-sized instrument controlled by movement - The Giant Thermin - or a dance program that represents community diversity and pride in the Latrobe Valley.

“Being physically active doesn't have to be focused around a ball or racquet,” Mr Rimmer says. “Each of these projects requires active participation. If you stand back and look and wait, you're going to miss out on the real fun. Get creative, get involved and when you're finished, do it again!”

Prepare for the Flashmobs

One of the MOTION projects currently under way is Nillumbik Shire Council's 52 Flashmobs in 52 Weeks. The project launched on Sunday 13 November when an entire orchestra gatecrashed the Eltham Rotary Fair, all in good fun, of course.

Giulia Celuzza, 19, who was at the fair when it happened, says she was blown away.

“It was amazing. One moment there was a drummer busking, playing by the lake, and next thing you know all these other musicians just came out of nowhere and started playing. It was seriously cool.”

Tom Denmark, 16, was standing next to the trombone player when he joined in the impromptu concert.

“It was the funniest thing. At first, people were a little shocked. They had no idea why all these strangers had started jamming together. But when they really got going, it was so much fun to watch. People were dancing and joining in with the tune.”

A flashmob is a group of people that gets together in public in a seemingly spontaneous way, performs an act and then disappears. In this case, the flashmob was the very talented Eltham Concert Band.

Nillumbik Shire Council project officer Cath Rutten says the idea for the 52 Flashmobs came about as way to show people the Arts can be a hell of a lot of fun, no matter where you are.

“We wanted something that was accessible to everyone and something that wasn't location specific, but instead was a moveable feast,” she says.
"Also, the Flashmobs provided us with the opportunity for spontaneity, which creates great energy and excitement.”

Nillumbik's Flashmobs are divided into sound, space, action and word-themed events. While most are yet to be finalised, Cath says they've already planned poetry slams, yarn bombing, hula hooping, sculpture and tea cakes. As the name suggests, there will be 52 run across a year – one a week.

“I am really looking forward to a couple of hundred scouts doing the 'Car Wash' while they wash cars in the Dib Dib Dob Dob Bob A Job Car Wash,” she says.

For young people, the 52 Flashmobs project presents plenty of opportunities to get involved, and you don't have to belong to the Nillumbik Shire Council to join in.

“Young people can devise Flashmobs. They can organise events or turn up on the day and play!” Cath says. “They can develop skills, make new buddies or just have a great time checking out the latest mob.”

But the most exciting opportunity for young people comes with the social networking and multimedia side of the project.

“Our dream is for the filming, editing and social media aspect of the project to be led by a bunch of interested young people. You don't need skills... just enthusiasm and interest” Cath says.

The young people who volunteer will get to work with the Jets Youth Multimedia studio in Banyule, and will receive on the spot training in film and editing live events.

For more information about project and to join in the fun, visit the 52 Flashmobs website.

For an overview of VicHealth’s MOTION projects, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/motion